Caraga cops discover large marijuana plantation in Caraga region
BUTUAN CITY – Combined police force of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) swooped down on a reported marijuana plantation and uprooted more than 1,000 marijuana plants in a far-flung and mountainous area of La Paz town, in Agusan del Sur province on Monday.
PRO 13 Regional Director Chief Supt. Gilberto DC Cruz said the joint task force, composed of La Paz Municipal Police Station (MPS), Agusan del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company and Agusan del Sur Provincial Intelligence Branch, walked several hours and reached the targeted area and uprooted marijuana plants weighing 61 kilograms amounting to P3,355,000.00.
“Our joint task force uprooted and burned the marijuana plants in Purok 4 and Purok 6 of Sitio Kalampayan, Barangay Kasapa 2, La Paz town, Agusan del Sur province yesterday (Jan. 7),” the region’s police chief told The Manila Bulletin.
The discovery of the said marijuana plantation was the result of the series of anti-illegal drugs operations in the region until intelligence community reached Kalampayan area, he said.
“We received the tip from concerned individuals that two marijuana plantations exist in the area and so we immediately launched the separate police operations,” Chief Supt. Cruz pointed out.
He said about 400 marijuana plants weighing 25 kgs. were uprooted in Purok 4, Sitio Kalampayan, Barangay Kasapa 2, amounting to P1,375,000.00 and another 600 marijuana plants weighing 36kgs. in Purok 6 of the said barangay and town worth P1,980,000.00.
Identities of the marijuana plantation owners are withheld pending the arrest of their financiers.
Operating field unit commanders are also ordered to prepare charges against the suspects for violation of the Dangerous Drug Act. “All of them (suspects) must be arrested and face charges in court,” said Chief Supt. Cruz, in his directive to field commanders.
“We give due credit to the concerned citizens who provided us the information,” Chief Supt. Cruz said.
“Indeed, when the police and community work hand-in-hand in the fight against illegal drugs, our efforts will yield successful outcomes,” Cruz added.