7.8 M worth of Marijuana burned, drug personality busted in Benguet

Camp Major Bado, Dangwa La Trinidad, Benguet – (March 12, 2021) – Anti-illegal drugs operatives of Benguet PPO destroyed P7.8 million worth of marijuana plants in the towns of Bakun and Kibungan last March 9, 2021.

Reports of the Provincial Director of Benguet PPO PCOL REYNALDO PASIWEN disclosed that about 36,000 pieces of fully-grown marijuana plants with an estimated standard drug price of Php 7,200,000.00 was discovered in Communal Forest with more or less 4,500 square meters land area at Sitio Kinmayad, Barangay Kayapa, Bakun, Benguet.

Further, Kibungan MPS drug operatives discovered 3,100 pieces of fully-grown marijuana plants with an estimated standard drug price of Php 620,000.00 in more or less 150 square meter land area at Sitio Bagiw, Tacadang, Kibungan.

All discovered marijuana plants were uprooted and burned in both sites while operatives are conducting inquiries to identify the cultivators for filing of appropriate charges against them in court.

Meanwhile, in Mankayan, a buy-bust operation resulted in the arrest of Gigi Antonio Hunio, 39, last March 9, 2021.

The suspect was caught after selling a small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 0.15 gram and a Standard Drug Price of Php 1,020.00 to the operative who acted as a poseur buyer.

In addition, another 0.3 gram of suspected shabu with an estimated value of Php2, 040.00, and one (1) Php 1,000.00 bill were confiscated after her arrest. These were marked and inventoried on-site witnessed by Brgy Kagawad Ryan Ladip and Mr. Joemar Sacpa, media representative.

The suspect is currently under the custody of Mankayan MPS and will be facing charges for Violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.