P8M MJ seized amid a citizen’s tip
ACTING on a tip from a concerned citizen, Cordillera police agents seized nearly P8 million worth of marijuana leaves in Kalinga province about to be transported to Cagayan, a report to Philippine National Police chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said on Friday.
Cordillera Police Regional Office director Brigadier Gen. Ronald O. Lee said members of the Rizal Municipal Police Station in Kalinga set up a checkpoint after receiving an information that a huge volume of cannabis was to be transported from the province to Cagayan.
Lee said his men later found three marijuana sacks hidden under a concrete sewer in Sitio Anonang, Bgy. Road in Liwan West, Rizal following a tip from the same informant.
The sacks contained an estimated 66 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves and stalks in brick form and valued at P8 million.
The Cordillera police director said his men also discovered fully-grown marijuana plants and seedlings in Sitio Mocdao, Bgy. Badeo and Bgy. Proper Badeo in Kibungan, Benguet.
An estimated P260,000 worth of cannabis were uprooted and burned on-site.
In Kayapa, Benguet, Lee said another marijuana eradication drive led in the destruction of around P6 million worth of the prohibited crops.
Eleazar earlier directed police units especially in Cordillera region to conduct checkpoint operations to prevent the transportation of illegal drugs and to arrest the drug couriers.
“Inaalam natin kung saan galing at kung kanino dadalhin ang marijuana. Hinihikayat din natin ang publiko na patuloy na makipagtulungan sa pulisya para tuluyang masawata ang iligal na droga,” the PNP chief said.
