CEBU – Barely a month after 400 stalks of marijuana were uprooted in Balamban, police again seized 1,500 fully-grown stalks last Friday from a plantation hidden in a far-flung village in the town.
Police said the plantation was intercropped within a timberland in barangay Basiao. It was discovered through an intelligence report that the police and tanods of Basiao acted upon early morning last Friday.
No one was arrested and the name of the plantation’s possible owner is being withheld pending further investigation.
Police said that once the stalks are dried, they can yield up to five kilos of marijuana leaves, which can be sold up to P30,000. A kilo of dried marijuana can be bought at P6,000 from the main source and up to P15,000 at the “urban market.”
A stick of marijuana is being sold up to P6.
The owner of the plantation may face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, specifically Section 16, which penalizes the cultivation of culture of plants classified as dangerous drug.
If he is found guilty, the suspect could suffer life imprisonment and can be fined with up to P10 million.
Last August, the police and the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines also uprooted more than 1000 stalks of fully grown marijuana in barangay Sudlon, Cebu City. Another batch of 700 stalks was uprooted in the same month. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)