P700,000 worth of marijuana uprooted in Balamban

CEBU, Philippines – At least 3,000 stalks of fully grown marijuana plants estimated to worth P700,000 were uprooted in three sitios in Barangay Bayong, Balamban town yesterday morning.

Elements of Balamban Police Station led by Sr. Insp. Januario Sario together with Barangay Bayong captain Rizal Abanto with other officials and tanods conducted the operation after receiving information about the existence of the marijuana plants in the barangay.

The team was able to uproot 3,000 fully grown marijuana stalks from sitios Cabatbatan, Dao, and Caro.

No suspect was arrested during the operation but PO3 Celso Diaz, desk officer of Balamban Police Station, said they are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the owner or caretaker of the marijuana plantation.

Last Monday, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Chief Supt. Lani-O Nerez, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 led the burning of 15,000 stalks of uprooted marijuana plants estimated to cost P3 million at the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) headquarters grounds.

The 15,000 stalks were uprooted last July 14 in the same town after a team composed of Balamban police and operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 conducted a joint operation in the area.

Last July 28, Balamban police officers were also able to uproot another 12,500 fully grown marijuana plants in another two sitios, Taro and Ambakon in same barangay.

The 12,500 marijuana plants estimated to cost about P2 million were also burned together with the 15,000 stalks uprooted last July 14. (THE FREEMAN)