P43M in marijuana destroyed in week-long operations in Cordillera - PNP

Authorities destroyed over P43 million worth of marijuana plants, seedlings, dried leaves, and fruiting tops in week-long operations in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Sunday.

In a statement, the PNP said it conducted 18 marijuana eradication operations from April 26 to May 2 that resulted in the destruction of marijuana worth P43.679 million.

Most of the operations were done in Benguet while other similar initiatives were carried out in Kalinga and Mountain Province.

‘These coordinated efforts led to the discovery and destruction of 183,034 fully grown marijuana plants, 84,000 seedlings, and 30,940 grams of dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops,” the PNP said.

Mountain Province recorded the highest value of seized and destroyed marijuana at P31.36 million, followed by Benguet with P10.71 million and Kalinga with P1.6 million.

PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the destruction of the illegal drugs reflect the police force’s firm resolve to address the problem at the grassroots level.

“Patuloy ang ating pagtutok sa kampanya kontra ilegal na droga. Hindi tayo titigil hangga’t may mga plantasyon at aktibidad na sumisira sa ating komunidad. This is about protecting our people and securing the future of our youth,” Nartatez said.

(We continue to focus on our illegal drugs campaign. We will not stop as long as there are plantations and activities that destroy our communities. This is about protecting our people and securing the future of our youth.) — JMA, GMA News