P11-M marijuana destroyed in Benguet


CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – Marijuana plants worth P11 million were uprooted and burned in Kalinga and five drug personalities were arrested from May 7 to 13, the Police Regional Office-Cordillera said Tuesday, May 16.

Police Brig. Gen. David Peredo Jr., PRO-Cordillera chief, said 55,000 fully grown marijuana plants with an overall standard drug price of P11 million were discovered and burned onsite in an eradication operation in Tinglayan, Kalinga.

The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) arrested two suspects, the Kalinga Police Provincial Office (PPO), two; and Benguet PPO, one.

Suspects were identified as Joey Mingoy, 48; Jasmin Mallanes, 44; Marcelina Eugenio, 38; Ruffalyn Baculi, 31; and Eusebio Lamsis, 54.

They are facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The PRO-Cordillera Regional Operations Division (ROD) said the suspects yielded a total of 13.80 grams of shabu and five milliliters of dried marijuana oil with an overall SDP of P119,930.