PDEA burns P5.6M marijuana in Kalinga

These marijuana plantations in Tinglayan town, Kalinga are mostly located along steep mountainsides to hide them from law enforcement agencies. Photo from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Cordillera

BAGUIO CITY — Marijuana plants and seedlings worth P5.6 million were burned in 10 separate marijuana plantations in Kalinga province in a three-day operation, authorities said.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Cordillera said the operation at Butbut Proper, Tinglayan town yielded 28,300 fully grown cannabis plants and 1,000 seedlings.

No suspects were apprehended during the operation that started on Monday and ended on Wednesday.

PDEA said the suspects may have fled as soon as they heard operatives hiking up the plantation areas, which were located in steep mountainsides.

Tinglayan has been a hotspot for marijuana cultivation, attracting dealers posing as tourists, PDEA said.

In November 2016, the town yielded the biggest eradication haul to date totaling P2.2 billion worth of illegal weed produce. (Editor: Leti Boniol)