P20.6M weed uprooted in Balamban and Toledo
At least P20.6M worth of marijuana plants were uprooted Saturday during a series of operations jointly conducted by the operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 and Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)7 and Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) in Barangay Gaas, Balamban and Barangay General Climaco in Toledo City.
The first operation was conducted at 10:30 a.m. in Sitio Quo, Barangay Gaas, Balamban resulting in the seizure of 11,500 stalks of marijuana worth P4.6M. The 800-square meter plantation where the illegal plants were uprooted was allegedly cultivated by Rodrigo Cabilles. The suspect, however, escaped before the law enforcers arrived.
At 1:20 p.m. on the same day, another plantation was raided by the operatives in Sitio Hikapon, Barangay General Climaco, Toledo City resulting in the uprooting of at least 25,000 fully-grown marijuana plants.
Authorities estimated their haul to be worth at least P10 million. The cultivator, identified as Ernie Lagaza, also eluded arrest. Another plantation, with at least 15,000 stalks of marijuana worth P6 million, was found by the same team of operatives at 3:40 p.m. in the same barangay.
The area was allegedly owned by Enyoy Zabate who also managed to escape from the raiding team.
All three cultivators will be charged for violation of Section 16, Article II of RA 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Meanwhile, six individuals, including a drug den operator, were arrested during a buy-bust operation in Sawang Calero, Cebu City last Saturday.
The drug den was allegedly maintained by Pedro Gijan, Jr., 29, a dried fish vendor. Authorities also arrested during the operation five others---Jerwin S. Gijan, 42; Claudio C. Villarin, 59; Jenecer C. Rulida, 33; Roberto B. Murillo, 44; and Marcelito A. Echivarre, 50—for visiting a drug den.
Confiscated during the operation were 29 packs of suspected shabu weighing 17 grams with an estimated value of P115,600.
Criminal complaints for violation of Article II of RA 9165 will be filed against the suspects.—