TUBA, Benguet – Authorities discovered and destroyed marijuana worth P72 million in a plantation in Sitio Sangilo in Camp 4 on Kennon Road in this town.
The plantation was discovered following a buy-bust operation early this month in Camp 4.
MAP of Benguet with the municipality of Tuba highlighted.
A suspected drug pusher arrested in the operation revealed the location of the plantation and identified his cohorts who were all from Kibungan, Benguet.
A team composed of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, and police hiked for three hours in the mountain to reach the plantation.
Around 600 kilos of dried marijuana with stalks and fruiting tops valued at P72 million were found.
This was the first time that a marijuana plantation of this size was discovered here.
Police have identified four cultivators but withheld their identities.
The owner of the land claimed that the group from Kibungan rented the property without disclosing their intention to plant marijuana. He is cooperating with the police as a state witness.
Suspects will face drug-related charges.
Authorities burned the marijuana onsite and samples were taken to the Philippine National Police-Crime Laboratory in Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, this province.
This town is about four kilometers away from Baguio City.