Troops destroy P8.6-M marijuana plants in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2022): Troops destroy P8.6-M marijuana plants in Sulu (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

MARIJUANA PLANTATION. An agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) together with other law enforcers uproot fully grown marijuana plants worth PHP8.6 million in a one-hectare plantation Sunday (Jan. 23, 2022) in Barangay Masjid Bayle, Kalingalan Caluang, Sulu. The marijuana plantation was discovered after the 4th Marine Brigade received information from concerned residents from a nearby village. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-BARMM)

Government authorities have destroyed some PHP8.6 million worth of fully grown marijuana plants in the hinterlands of Sulu, the 4th Marine Brigade (MBde) reported Monday.

In a statement, the 4MBde said the marijuana plants were destroyed Sunday in Barangay Masjid Bayle, Kalingalan Caluang, Sulu.

The 4MBde immediately coordinated with concerned agencies to plan out the launch of an anti-drug operation after receiving information from residents in a nearby village about the existence of a marijuana plantation in Barangay Masjid Bayle.

A joint operation was launched after a team was organized consisting of Marine troops, policemen, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives.

“Upon arrival at the location, they (operatives) have found out a more or less one-hectare plantation with fully grown marijuana,” the 4MBde said.

However, the alleged maintainers of the marijuana plantation identified only as Alias Banban and Alias Aksan, were not around when the team swooped down on the plantation.

A case for violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 is being prepared against the maintainers.

A total of 10,000 fully grown marijuana plants were destroyed and burned in the area, the 4MBde said.

“The support of the residents in the area signals that they shun illegal drugs in their community as it destroys their peaceful lives,” the 4Bde said.

“The illegal activities will not prevail as long as the community works hand in hand with the local government unit and with the security sector,” the 4MBde added.

The 4MBde assured that they will continue working with other agencies to ensure that the communities they serve are safe and secured.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166172