Suspect behind 'tsongkilate,' 'gummy weeds' nabbed in Laguna

While holding a container of gummy bear candies, the man allegedly behind the manufacturing of marijuana-laced gelatin gummy bears and bite-size chocolates was nabbed in a follow-up operation in Cabuyao, Laguna, on Thursday.

A report on 24 Oras by GMA News' John Consulta identified the suspect as Jan Allen Ledesma, a 5th year Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) student.

Personnel from the Laguna Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) conducted the operation against the 23-year-old Ledesma.

"Itong lugar na 'to, ito 'yung lutuan ng tinatawag nating hash na kino-convert nila sa chocolate. Minsan ginagamit pa nila, hinahalo doon sa lambanog," said Superintendent Vic Cabatingan, chief of Laguna PIB.

Ledesma said his customers were mostly his friends. "Doon lang po sa mga kaibigan, sir," he said.

On Wednesday, a suspect named Bobby Babcock was arrested for allegedly selling marijuana-laced candies for P500 each to students.

Meanwhile, seized from Ledesma's vehicle were marijuana compact grinder, five wooden pipes, a jar of marijuana oil, two containers of marijuana gummy bears and three containers of chocolate liquid with suspected marijuana.

The pick-up vehicle allegedly used in mobile pot session was also recovered by the police.

Authorities are now investigating Ledesma's source of marijuana and his customers as there were indications that the suspect's group is planning to have an indoor marijuana plant.

They are looking into the possibility that the marijuana came from other countries.

"Iimbestigahan natin ng malalim ang kanyang source at kanyang mga binabagsakan para makuha natin sila," said Police Senior Supt. Cecilio Ison, provincial director of Laguna police.

"Meron pa po siyang mga, 'yung kung sino 'yung bumibili at saan niya kinukuha 'yung source ng marijuana. Lahat ng mga magulang at sa lahat ng schools na iwasan po natin 'yung pagbibili ng mga pagkain, kung san ino-offer kung sa tabi-tabi lang. Baka ito'y hinaluan ng marijuana," added Police Supt. Wildemar Tiu, chief of Cabuyao police. —Anna Feliciano Bajo/KBK/ALG, GMA News