Authorities destroy 7 marijuana plantation sites in Benguet

MANILA, Philippines – Several Marijuana plantation sites in Benguet, estimated to be worth P5 million, were destroyed by authorities in a two-day operation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Tuesday.

“The burned marijuana plants in the seven plantation sites have an estimated value of almost P5 million,” PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G Cacdac, Jr. said in a statement.

Authorities burned on site 17,776 fully-grown marijuana plants, 33,800 seedlings, and 3,000 grams of seeds after the eradication operation, PDEA said.

The plantation sites were located in Sitios (sub-village) Alamenes, Al-alinao and Dagadag, all in Barangay (village) Badeo, Kibungan, Benguet. The estimated total land area of all the sites was 4,738 square meters.

“One suspected cultivator, identified as Charlie Culbo, a 49-year-old farmer and resident of Sitio Tableo, also in Barangay Badeo, who was present in the area, was immediately arrested by members of the operating team,” Cacdac said.

PDEA along with officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted the two-day eradication operation on January 9 and 10.

Culbo will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, PDEA said.

“A penalty of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million shall be imposed upon any person who shall plant, cultivate or culture plant, regardless of quantity, which is classified as a dangerous drug,” Cacdac said.