Photo courtesy of PNP/Facebook
The Philippine National Police (PNP) destroyed marijuana plants and dried stocks valued at about Php 16 million during an eradication operation in Kibungan, Benguet, on March 4, authorities said Thursday.
Police located the illegal crops in a communal forest area in Sitio Lococ, Barangay Badeo. The plantation sites covered an estimated 1,400 square meters.
Operatives uprooted and burned 8,350 fully grown marijuana plants along with about 120 kilograms of dried marijuana stalks and leaves with fruiting tops.
The operation was conducted by joint police units together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Authorities documented the seized items before destroying them on-site while setting aside samples for laboratory testing.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the operating teams for carrying out the operation in a remote area.
He said police would continue acting on reports of marijuana cultivation even in distant or difficult terrain as part of efforts to prevent the spread of illegal drugs.