LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A weeklong anti-illegal drug operation paid off as operatives destroyed marijuana plantation valued at P14,854,000 and arrested 15 people engaged in illegal drugs trading in separate buy-bust operations in Cordillera.
Records from the Benguet Provincial Police Office said the relentless marijuana eradication campaign in the province from April 10-16 resulted in the destruction of about 8,510 fully grown marijuana plants (FGMJP) with a standard drug price of P1,742,000.00.
The authorities also destroyed 6,800 pieces of marijuana seedlings with an SDP of P272,000.00 and 107,000 pieces of dried marijuana leaves and stalks with an SDP of P12,840,000.00.
Citing the records of the Regional Operations Division (ROD) of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, during the buy-bust operation conducted, the Baguio City Police Office and the Benguet PPO arrested seven drug personalities each, while Abra PPO caught one suspect.
In Baguio City, arrested drug personalities were identified as Ian Niccolo Pinlac Reynon, 28; Jeric Lopez Batuyog, 21; Troy Agunod Simbajon, 21; Levi Hope Flordelis Molines, 20; Manny Lacambra Calagno, 38; Alain Gadalio Candong, 44; and Edian Morales Peralta, 30.
In Benguet, the arrested personalities were identified as Mark Guilford Awal Puddong, 39; Gilbert Guinomon Labutan, 32; Kenjie Laongan Edoc, 25; and a 17-year-old male minor, Sally Palaganas Bugtong, 39, and Brendalee Kasandra Lebgan Modawan, 39.
A drug suspect identified as Crisanto Marcellano died during a shoot-out with the police officers of Mankayan MPS.
In Abra, the arrested personality was identified as Patrocinio Domingo Basseg, 48.
The separate buy-bust operations conducted resulted in the seizure of a total of 7.0906 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price amounting to P48,216.00 and the confiscation of a total of 5032 grams of dried marijuana leaves with an SDP of P603,840.00.
All arrested suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.