(Photo courtesy of PNP)
MANILA – The country's top cop on Monday directed the Cebu police to coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in hunting down the cultivators of three marijuana plantations in Cebu that were raided by law enforcers over the weekend.
In a statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar also lauded the joint anti-illegal drug operation where law enforcers uprooted and destroyed a total of PHP20.6 million worth of marijuana plants in Balamban town and Toledo City last October 23.
Rodrigo Cabilles, the alleged cultivator of the plantation in Balamban town while Ernie Lagaza and Enyoy Zabate, the cultivators of the plantations in Toledo City, fled when law enforcers arrived.
"Makakaasa ang publiko na magpapatuloy ang dalawang ahensya sa pagsupil sa ilegal na droga (The public can expect that the two agencies will continue to crack down on illegal drugs),” Eleazar said.
Police personnel and PDEA agents eradicated 11,500 fully grown marijuana plants worth PHP4.6 million at the plantation in Sitio Quo, Barangay Gaas in Balamban town.
On the same day, they also destroyed 40,000 fully grown marijuana plants worth PHP16 million at two plantations in Sitio Hikapon, Barangay General Climaco in Toledo City.
The three suspects are facing charges for alleged violation of Section 16, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)
