PDEA destorys P10M worth marijuana in Benguet

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities have destroyed an estimated P10 million worth of marijuana leaves during a three-day eradication operation in 16 plantation sites in Benguet province, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Thursday.

The PDEA said that the plantations were located in 16 adjacent sites in sitios Lanipew and Bana in Barangay Tacadang, Kibungan Benguet; and sitios Bulisay and Makagang in Barangay Kayapa, Bakun, Benguet, with an estimated total land area of 2,658 square meters.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said that a total of 14,400 pieces of fully-grown marijuana plants were uprooted, while 3,600 pieces of marijuana seedlings, 1,250 grams of marijuana seeds and 60,000 grams of marijuana stalks were destroyed during the operation.

"The marijuana plants and seedlings in the 16 cultivation sites were destroyed and burned on site. However, no cultivator was arrested during the eradication," Cacdac said, adding that the illegal hemp destroyed is worth P10,155,000 based on the value set by the Dangerous Drugs Board.