Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided a marijuana plantation located in the boundaries of La Union and Ilocos Sur, seizing plants worth an estimated P2,225,000.

The operation was conducted in line with NBI Director Jaime Santiago's directive to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs in the country.

According to reports, the joint operation was carried out by the NBI Laoag District Office (NBI-LADO), the NBI Ilocos Regional Office (NBI-IRO), and the NBI Vigan District Office (NBI-VIDO), in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the La Union Police Mobile Police Force (LUPMF).

Santiago revealed that the operation stemmed from intelligence reports indicating that marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) was being cultivated in the boundaries of La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Benguet. The plants, reportedly ready for harvest and distribution, were located in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur.

Following the verification of these reports by NBI-LADO operatives led by Atty. Dante B. Bonoan, authorities pinpointed the site of the plantation.

On 27 November 2024, joint operatives trekked a hazardous 9.5-hour mountain trail to Barangay Licungan in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur. Upon their approach, the cultivators fled the site.

PDEA representatives estimated the value of the uprooted marijuana plants at P2,225,000. The plants were burned on-site by the operatives.

Director Santiago commended the operatives of NBI-IRO, NBI-LADO, and NBI-VIDO for their unwavering dedication despite the challenging conditions. He also expressed gratitude to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and PDEA for their support, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and coordination between law enforcement agencies in the fight against illegal drugs.Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) uprooted marijuana in a plantation in the boundaries of La Union and Ilocos Sur recently.

This is in line with the order of NBI Director Jaime Santiago’s order to intensify the campaign against the illegal drug trade in the country.

Report showed that NBI – Laoag District Office (NBI-LADO), NBI – Ilocos Regional Office (NBI-IRO), and NBI – Vigan District Office (NBI-VIDO) together with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and La Union Police Mobile Police Force (LUPMF) raided a marijuana plantation in the boundaries of La Union and Ilocos Sur.

Santiago said that the operation stemmed from intelligence report revealing that “marijuana” (Cannabis Sativa) is being planted within the boundaries of La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Benguet. Full grown marijuana plants are ready for harvest and eventually for distribution.

In response, NBI-LADO operatives headed by Atty. Dante B. Bonoan verified the information, which resulted in the identification of the site of the marijuana plantation in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur.

On 27 November 2024, the joint operatives proceeded to the marijuana plantation traversing the hazardous mountain trail, which is 9 ½ hours of foot trail leading to Brgy. Licungan, Municipality of Sugpon, Ilocos Sur.

The cultivators of the marijuana plantation were able to flee upon seeing the approaching operatives. Representative from PDEA estimated the value of the Marijuana plants in the amount of Php2,225,000.00, which were uprooted and burned on site by the joint operatives.

Santiago commended the operatives of NBI-IRO, NBI-LADO, and NBI-VIDO for their undying commitment in discharging their sworn duties despite the challenges they have encountered during the operation.

He expressed his gratitude to the PNP and PDEA for their invaluable support to the NBI, which led to the successful anti-drug operation and emphasized the importance of smooth collaboration and coordination between the law enforcement agencies.