PNP: P16M worth of marijuana destroyed in Ilocos Sur

Authorities eradicated over P16.1 million in marijuana across 18 plantations in Ilocos Sur over the weekend, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Sunday.

In a statement, the PNP said its police units and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted a large-scale marijuana eradication operation on March 6 and 7.

Law enforcers discovered 18 marijuana plantations across 13,000 square meters, with 63,000 fully-grown marijuana plants, 27.7 kilos of dried stalks, and one kilo of dried fruiting tops worth P16.182 million.

The illegal drugs were eradicated while some samples of the fully-grown plants and dried stalks were collected and submitted for laboratory examination.

“Ang mga ganitong operasyon ang patunay na hindi kami hihinto sa pagpapatupad ng batas laban sa iligal na droga. Kahit saan ito tumubo, titiyakin naming mapupunta sa tama ang hustisya,” said PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

(These operations are proof that we will not let up in enforcing the law against illegal drugs. Wherever there are plantations, we are sure to exact justice.)

“Ang sama-samang pagkilos ng ating mga yunit ay nagpapakita na ang PNP ay seryoso sa pagpapatupad ng batas, proteksyon sa mamamayan, at pagtugon sa krimen,” he added.

(The combined efforts of our units shows that the PNP is serious in implementing the law, protecting our countrymen, and responding to crimes.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News