Año says checkpoints should be intensified to prevent proliferation of marijuana

Government checkpoints must be intensified to curb the proliferation of marijuana in the country, according to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday.

"Kailangan nating paigtingin 'yung mga checkpoints na 'yan kasi magaling din itong mga grupo na 'to. Hinahalo nila sa mga products, finished products, tinatago nila sa secret compartment ng sasakyan," Año said in an interview on Unang Balita.

Año said police would work with the military in stopping the proliferation of marijuana, which police said became an alternative for drug users who are unable to procure shabu.

"Ang gagawin natin dito, paiigtingin 'yung kampanya dito at hindi lang dito sa Metro Manila. Susuyurin din natin 'yung mga kabundukan, with a joint operation din sa AFP, kung ano pa 'yung mga plantations na maaari pang existing," he said.

This came after 217 kilograms of marijuana bricks worth more or less P26 million were seized in Quezon City over the weekend.

Three drug suspects, identified as Dianne Irene Cambalicer, Louie Mark Cuerdo and Angelo Pascual, were arrested by authorities during the operation in Balintawak.

According to Philippine National Police chief Police General Debold Sinas, the illegal drugs came from Cordillera.

Sinas said police are checking if marijuana is now being used as an alternative for shabu in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces.  —KBK, GMA News