Pubdate: Sat, 29 Jan 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Freddie G. Lazaro
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

ILOCOS SUR COPS UPROOT P55-M MARIJUANA PLANTS

Eight Plantations Found at Tri-Boundary of Ilocos Sur, LA Union and
Benguet

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Bantay, Ilocos Sur - Police operatives
uprooted marijuana plants worth of R55 million during three-day
operations at Mt. Nagmey, Mt. Maalatey and sitio Naba, all in Sugpon
town, this province.

The police operatives also seized a high-powered firearm at the
residence of the suspected marijuana cultivator.

The place where the marijuana plantations are located is near the
tri-boundary of Ilocos Sur, La Union and Benguet.

The operation came after an "asset' tipped off police
authorities.

Senior Supt. Mario B. Subagan, Ilocos Sur police director, said that
his operatives uprooted at least 279, 000 fully grown and
ready-to-harvest marijuana plants which were grown at eight different
plantations with an estimated total area of 2.37 hectares.

"Based on the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) standard, the estimated value
of the uprooted marijuana plants was placed at R55 million," Subagan
said.

In terms of value and volume, the haul is one of the biggest so far in
the Ilocos Region.

During the operation, the raiders confiscated one caliber .30 Carbine
without serial number and one magazine assembly with eight live
bullets at the house of the suspected marijuana cultivator.

The suspect was still at large as he was able to escape before the
operatives arrived. He is now hunted by the police. A court has issued
a warrant for his arrest.

Subagan said the bulk of the uprooted marijuana was burned at the site
in the presence of local officials.

The raiders brought down with them some bundles of the marijuana
plants to the poblacion for the ceremonial burning in front of the
Sugpon town hall.

Subagan said that Chief Supt. Ricardo de Leon, head of the
Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) led the
burning of the marijuana samples in the presence of the director of
PNP Region 1, Gen. Claudio Cabreros and Col. Antonio Valle, director
of Presidential Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Ilocos Region.

Subagan said he expects another uprooting operation in the next few
days, disclosing that he had received reports on the presence of
another and big marijuana plantations. 
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