P600,000 worth of marijuana plants uprooted in Ilocos Sur

Police and anti-drug authorities uprooted and destroyed an estimated P600,000 worth of fully grown marijuana plants discovered at a plantation in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur on September 27.

The plantation was found at the boundary of Sitio Ogiyet, Barangay Licungan in Sugpon and Barangay Tacadang in Kibungan, Benguet, according to the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office (ISPPO).

Personnel from the 2nd Ilocos Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company, PDEA Region 1, ISPPO Drug Enforcement Unit, Provincial Intelligence and Detective Management Unit (KIMAT), Sugpon Municipal Police Station and Police Intelligence Team of Ilocos Sur-RIU1 took part in the operation.

Authorities discovered a marijuana plantation covering about 1,000 square meters and containing around 3,000 fully grown marijuana plants, with a standard drug price estimated at P600,000.

The operating teams uprooted the plants and conducted an inventory, evaluation and documentation before destroying the marijuana through burning at the site.

ISPPO said the operation forms part of its continuing campaign with partner agencies against marijuana cultivation and the proliferation of illegal drugs in Ilocos Sur and nearby areas.

Police said they will continue joint operations and intelligence-driven efforts to prevent the cultivation and distribution of illegal drugs in the province.