A RESIDENT of Toledo City in Cebu on Friday was arrested by the local police for cultivating banned marijuana plants, Police Regional Office 7 director Brig. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin said yesterday.

Suspect Demetrio Baculi is facing non-bailable charges for violation of Sections 11 and 16 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2013, said the PRO7 director in a report to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr.

Planting and cultivation of marijuana in the country regardless of quantity is a criminal offense punishable with life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million upon conviction.

According to the official, the accused was arrested around 2:55 p.m. Friday in Sitio Abayan in Bgy. General Climaco, Toledo City. The arrest was made while members of the PRO7 Regional Mobile Force Battalion and the Cebu Police Provincial Office Provincial Mobile Force Company were about to serve a warrant of arrest issued against Jonathan Abadinas.

Aberin said that officers who went to the area were surprised to discover marijuana plants being grown in the area and arrested Baculi, who also yielded a cal. .45 semi-automatic pistol with magazine containing three live ammunition.

Recovered during the operation were 500 grams of dried marijuana leaves worth P10,000 and an improvised plastic dipper being used to water the cannabis plants.

The prohibited crops were burned on site while some samples were submitted to the PNP Regional Forensic Unit 7 for examination.

The suspect is now under the custody of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Cebu Police Provincial Office headed by Col. Rommel J. Ochave.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon