PNP destroys P861.9-M worth of marijuana plants in Kalinga

FILE PHOTO: Marijuana plants for sale are displayed at the medical marijuana farmers market at the California Heritage Market in Los Angeles, California, on July 11, 2014. REUTERS/David McNew

MANILA, Philippines – Fully-grown marijuana plants amounting to P861.9 million were destroyed in Tinglayan, Kalinga, during a nine-day operation from April 29 to May 7, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

According to PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, Kalinga authorities have destroyed 3.3 million fully grown marijuana plants and 1,575 grams of dried marijuana.

READ: More than P111 million marijuana plants destroyed in Kalinga

“May mga identify barangays na nakitaan pa ng marijuana plantation at magtutuloy tuloy po yan,” Fajardo said in a press briefing.

(We already identified barangays with marijuana plantation and our operation is ongoing.)

Based on a separate statement issued by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), police said the operation was conducted in the mountainous area of Mt. Chumanchil, Barangay Loccong, and Barangay Buscalan.

“Throughout the operation, dedicated law enforcement units engaged in extensive patrols, surveillance, and search activities in targeted areas of Kalinga,” PDEG reported.

“Their coordinated efforts led to the successful destruction of a massive marijuana plantation with a total land area of 195,100 sqm (square meters), resulting in the seizure of 3,349,500 fully grown marijuana plants and 1,575 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves,” it added.

Following this achievement, Fajardo appealed to the public to report any information that would lead to the whereabouts of other marijuana plantations.

She also reported that 67.45 percent of barangays nationwide have been declared drug-free as of February this year.

Fajardo said the PNP is hoping to make more drug-free communities in the country by the end of the year.