BUSTED. Authorities arrest a high-value target suspect in a buy-bust in Barangay Anolid in Mangaldan town, Pangasinan on Feb. 22, 2022. They have seized PHP480,000 worth of suspected marijuana from the suspect's rented house where he found a way to grow marijuana seedlings. (Photo courtesy of PDEA Pangasinan)
MANGALDAN, Pangasinan – Authorities have dismantled an improvised marijuana cultivation area and seized PHP480,000 worth of suspected high-grade marijuana blocks, oil, fruiting tops, and seedlings in a high-impact operation from a high-value target.
In an interview on Wednesday, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Pangasinan provincial officer Rechie Camacho identified the suspect as Jhasper Base Dalan, of Bulacan but was renting a house in Barangay Anolid where he operated his illegal business fronting as a mushroom cultivation area.
“We have been monitoring him for months following (an) intelligence report of his illegal activities. On Tuesday night, we conducted a buy-bust operation and our teammate was able to buy from him kush marijuana, it’s high-grade marijuana that is seldom sold in the market because it is pricey and it has a greater effect on the user as compared to the regular marijuana,” he said.
Authorities also discovered that the suspect was also growing marijuana seedlings and was making marijuana oil.
“He was growing marijuana seedlings through an improvised way with complete amenities, such as (a) humidifier, thermometer, among others,” he added.
Camacho said they have seized 50 grams of suspected kush worth PHP70,000, 500 milligrams of suspected marijuana oil costing PHP110,000, and 2.5 kilograms of suspected marijuana fruiting tops worth PHP300,000, along with other materials such as assorted weighing scales, vacuum sealer, among others.
He said the suspect was running his illegal trade all over the country delivering through courier services.
“He was selling mushroom fruiting bags but inside it was the kush marijuana stuck inside. This is the first time we have encountered this kind of modus,” he added.
Camacho said the suspect is now under their custody as well as the pieces of evidence, while cases against the suspect are being ready for filing Wednesday. (PNA)
