P162M marijuana destroyed in 8 Kalinga plantations in just one day

Authorities destroyed P162 million worth of marijuana plants in eight plantations in Tinglayan, Kalinga in just one day, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a statement on Thursday, the PNP said law enforcers discovered the eight plantation sites spanning 52,000 square meters at Mt. Whatong, Baranggay Loccong in Tinglayan.

Operatives destroyed approximately 456,000 fully grown marijuana plants, 338,000 seedlings, and about 477,500 grams of dried marijuana stalks with leaves and fruiting tops in the day-long operation.

The eradicated marijuana was estimated to be worth P162,020,000.

The PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) used drones to locate the hidden plantations in the mountainous terrain.

All discovered marijuana plants were properly documented, then subsequently uprooted and destroyed on site.

Authorities are now pursuing leads to identify the individuals or groups behind the plantation sites as part of efforts to prevent the resurgence of illegal plantations in remote areas. — JMA, GMA News