CEBU CITY – An American was arrested after he was caught keeping potted marijuana plants in his condominium in Barangay Camputhaw here.
POTTED marijuana plants are found in a condominium of an American that was raided by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA-7) in Barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City on Wednesday night, November 9. (Photo from PDEA-7)
Found inside the condominium of William Lee Matteson, 75, were three potted fully marijuana plants worth P1,200, 10 seedlings of potted marijuana worth P400, and one plastic pack of dried kush marijuana.
Three seeds of suspected marijuana and an indoor grow kit were also recovered during the serving of a search warrant around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9.
Leia Alcantara, information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA-7), said the operation was conducted after they received a report that Matteson, a native of Nebraska, United States, was cultivating marijuana plants through an indoor grow kit in his condominium.
Alcantara said tip that reached the PDEA revealed that the marijuana plants were for the American’s personal consumption and he was also giving them to some of his fellow foreigners.
She said it took a three-week case build-up before the enforcement of the search was made.
The American, a pensioner, had been staying in Cebu since 2007, Alcantara said.
Charges for violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the American, said Alcantara.