MANILA, Philippines — Police destroyed P1.34 million worth of cannabis or marijuana, which were discovered in three separate clandestine marijuana farms in Benguet, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday.
In a statement, PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas said Bakun Municipal Police Station destroyed 2,800 marijuana plants after raiding a 700-square meter marijuana farm in Sitio Bulisay, Kayapa, Bakun, Benguet.
Another marijuana farm, which has 350 square meters, was raided in Sitio Wasan, Kayapa, Bakun, Benguet. Over 1,400 marijuana plants were incinerated in this area.
Also, members of PNP and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency burned over 2,500 marijuana plants and 3,250 marijuana seedlings at another 1,150-square meter marijuana farm located in Sitio Balbalnag, SitioTebteb and Sitio Yong-awan of Barangay Badeo, Kibungan, Benguet.
In total, Sinas said Cordillera police burned 6,700 marijuana plants and 3,250 marijuana seedlings worth P1,340,000.
Sinas also vowed that they will pursue police operations against production and trafficking of marijuana despite the United Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) removal of cannabis from the most dangerous narcotics category.
“Cannabis in the form of plants, products and its derivatives is still a dangerous drug as defined under Republic Act No. 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” he said.
READ: DDB: UN reclassification of cannabis to not affect domestic drug control
In a previous televised briefing, Sinas said they will investigate the influx of marijuana and how it is being used as an alternative for crystal meth or “shabu.”