Thirteen drug suspects arrested, P14-M marijuana destroyed in CAR

DESTRUCTION. Police officers uproot fully grown marijuana plants discovered during an eradication operation in the mountains of Benguet as part of the anti-drug operation from April 10 to 16. More than PHP14 million worth of marijuana was destroyed in various eradication operations in Benguet. (PNA photo courtesy of PROCor PIO)

BAGUIO CITY – A drug personality was killed and 13 others were arrested while PHP14 million worth of marijuana was destroyed in the Cordillera Administrative Region last week, the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCor) said Wednesday.

Capt. Marnie Abellanida, PROCor information officer, said PHP14,854,000 marijuana plants were destroyed in various eradication operations in Benguet from April 10 to 16.

Benguet is one of the provinces in the region where high-grade marijuana plants are known to thrive.

Authorities said the haul included 8,510 fully grown marijuana plants; 6,800 pieces of marijuana seedlings; and 107,000 pieces of dried marijuana leaves and stalks.

Meanwhile, 13 drug personalities, including a 17-year-old male minor in Benguet, have also been arrested during the same period in the Cordillera.

The Baguio City Police Office recorded the highest number of arrests with seven drug personalities, while the Benguet Provincial Police Office arrested five individuals and the Abra Police arrested one suspect.

The police also said one suspect was killed in a shootout with police officers in Mankayan, Benguet. The police did not give the suspect's identity.

Abellanida said all the 13 arrested persons were charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)

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