₱14.76M in marijuana plants uprooted, razed in Kalinga – PNP

Authorities destroyed P14.76 million worth of marijuana plants in three marijuana plantations in two barangays in Tinglayan, Kalinga, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

In a statement, the PNP said around 57,000 fully-grown marijuana plants were uprooted and burned at two sites covering 5,700 square meters in Barangay Loccong by various PNP units and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Cordillera Administrative Region (PDEA-CAR).

The destroyed marijuana plants were valued at P11.4 million.

The PNP said all marijuana plants were burned at the said sites to prevent their recovery or replanting, adding that no cultivators were apprehended during the operation.

“Targeting cultivation areas is a decisive step to stop illegal drugs from reaching communities. Operations in remote and high-risk areas will continue without pause,” said PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

The PNP is conducting follow-up investigation to identify individuals responsible for the plantations and to prevent the re-establishment of marijuana plantations in the area.

In a separate statement, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) said it also destroyed 16,800 fully-grown marijuana plants at a hillside plantation in Barangay Buscalan.

The plants were cultivated on a 1,200 square meter hillside lot and were valued at P3.36 million. No cultivators were apprehended.

“Together, we reaffirm our unwavering resolve to relentlessly pursue illegal drug cultivation activities, dismantle supply sources, and safeguard the peace and security of our communities,” said PNP-DEG chief Brigadier General Elmer Ragay. — JMA, GMA Integrated News