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. - ---