UP IN FLAMES. Cordillera police operatives burn fully grown marijuana plants they discovered in two plantation sites in the mountains of Sitio Palwa, Sagpat, Kibungan, Benguet on Friday (June 4, 2021). Col. Elmer Ragay, chief of the regional police’s intelligence division, said with the help of K-9s, they discovered 12 sacks of dried marijuana leaves, seeds, and stalks, with an estimated street value of PHP45.9 million, ready for transport. (Photo courtesy of Col. Elmer Ragay)
CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – K-9s helped the police stop the possible distribution of PHP45.9 million worth of marijuana to urban areas, a regional police official said.
Operatives of the Police Regional Office - Cordillera and marijuana-sniffing dogs found 12 sacks of dried marijuana leaves, seeds, and stalks at a hidden location at the mountains of Sitio Palwa, Sagpat, Kibungan, Benguet on Friday, chief of the office’s intelligence division, Col. Elmer Ragay, said.
They also found two plantation sites with 12,950 fully grown marijuana plants, which they uprooted and burned on site.
Ragay said an operation was launched after intelligence operatives received information about marijuana cultivation at the sitio.
"Our troops found those being grown while the dogs with their handlers, which (were) scouring the adjacent area, found the packed marijuana, which was ready to be transported," he said, noting that the packed marijuana was found about 300 meters away from the plantation site.
Ragay said the troops were from the Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Explosives Ordnance Division, and K-9 Unit, as well as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s regional office.
He said Cordillera policemen take the initiative to look for marijuana plantation sites to stop the cultivation and prevent the illegal drugs from reaching the urban areas where clients are waiting.
He added that residents also provide information to law enforcers as their contribution to the government's anti-illegal drugs stance.
Ragay warned those involved in the illegal drugs trade that a strengthened partnership between government troops and the communities is narrowing down their drug operations. (PNA)
