OPLAN HIGHLANDER SUCCESSFUL: P858.9 MILLION WORTH OF MARIJUANA BURNED IN KALINGA

In a resolute effort to curb marijuana cultivation in the province of Kalinga,  PRO Cordillera cops joined forces with the different units of the Philippine National Police and launched a nine-day mass marijuana eradication operation dubbed Oplan Highlander from April 29 to May 7, 2024.

The operation yielded significant results, with the discovery of 3,349,500 fully grown marijuana plants and 1,575,000 grams of dried marijuana stalks with fruiting tops, totaling PhP858,800,900.00 in value. These marijuana plants were found across twenty-seven marijuana plantation sites at Mt. Chumancil, spanning the Barangays of Buscalan and Loccong in the municipality of Tinglayan.

During the said operation, the Regional Director, PBGEN DAVID K PEREDO, JR,  and other PRO Cordillera key officers personally participated in the uprooting and burning of the seized marijuana plants showing their commitment to end marijuana cultivation in the province and ensuring the safety of all the personnel conducting the operation.

The success of Oplan Highlander was made possible through the collaborative efforts of anti-illegal drugs operatives from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, Special Operations Unit-CAR, Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, Kalinga Police Provincial Office, Regional Intelligence Division, 11 SAB PNP SAF, TOG2, Philippine Air Force, PCG-Northeastern Luzon District, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, 503rd Brigade Philippine Army, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-CAR, PDEA-CAR, and Philippine Coast Guard.

As of press time, operatives are conducting follow-up investigations to identify possible cultivators. They are also engaging with the barangay to encourage community members to provide information on cultivators and continue supporting the PNP’s anti-illegal drug campaign. (PRO CORDILLERA PIO / FILE PHOTOS)