Anti-narcotics operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) seized around P7.6 million worth of marijuana in a raid on a plantation in Tinglayan town of Kalinga on Friday, Nov. 22.
PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said the raid in the marijuana plantation was based on the confirmed intelligence reports about an area in Barangay Buscalan which is being used to grow marijuana.
PDEG operatives, backed by local police forces, then swooped down in the area which resulted in the discovery of the fully-grown marijuana in around 3,800 square meter parcels of land.
Matta said his men seized 38,000 pieces of fully-grown marijuana which was estimated to be at P7.6 million.
“This eradication operation delivers a significant blow to illegal marijuana cultivation, sending a strong message that drug crimes will not be tolerated. The PNP-DEG remains steadfast in our commitment to protect communities and ensure a drug-free future. Our determination to combat illegal drugs is unwavering,” said Matta.
But police failed to arrest any cultivator although they vowed to conduct an investigation to identify the people behind the plantation’s operation.
Matta said the seized marijuana plants were destroyed on site while the land where they were grown was sprayed with herbicide to prevent any potential regrowth.