Army, PNP uproot P2-million worth of marijuana

CEBU, Philippines – Authorities from the 78th Infantry Battalion, the Balamban Police Station and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) uprooted some 7,435 fully grown marijuana in Sitio Liki, Barangay Magsaysay, Balamban yesterday morning.

This is the second time that the military and the police uprooted marijuana from Barangay Magsayasay in a week's time as just last Friday evening, the police also up-rooted a total of 3,000 stalks from the area.

Yesterday's uprooted marijuana stalks had a street value of P 2,230,500. These were immediately burned by the army, police and members from the PDEA.

78th IB Lt. Col. Nolasco Mempin said that he was thankful to the concerned citizen who informed them about the plantation. He said that by doing so, the public are helping the military and the police stop the selling of illegal drugs in Balamban.

According to Mempin, such accomplishments of the law enforcement authorities only show that the residents are now cooperating with the campaign against the illegal activity.

Mempin said this must serve as a warning to marijuana planters, adding that they will not stop their campaign against illegal drugs.

Police said they decided to burn the marijuana stalks right at the plantation because it would be hard for them to take these elsewhere. The marijuana plantation was found at a very remote part of the mountain barangay. (FREEMAN)