ZenLunatic
03-23-2006, 09:21 PM
Philippines
23 Mar 2006
by Jane Cadalig, Ernie Olson Jr,
JOINT personnel of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency ( PDEA ) seized an estimated 507 kilograms of dried marijuana bricks worth P12,675,000 in three separate anti-dangerous drug operations this week.
At around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, 15 kilos of dried cannabis sativa hemp in brick form with a DDB value of P375,000 was recovered by personnel of the La Trinidad MPS at AD-123, Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet.
The policemen responded to information of a concerned citizen about some marijuana bricks being left behind by a boarder. These are now in custody of La Trinidad MPS while further investigation is being conducted to identify the suspect.
On Monday, around P11.8-million worth of dried marijuana bricks, weighing 427 kilos, were also seized from a 27-year-old Ilocano suspect in Mt. Province.
PDEA Regional Director Bernardo Borrinaga surmised the bricks came from the town of Tinglayan in Kalinga.
Police authorities said that suspect Romeo Viduya aka Rommel, a native of Candon City, Ilocos Sur, was onboard a public utility vehicle from Kalinga when the police operatives nabbed him along Lagkangeo, Bontoc at around 2:00 p.m. Monday.
Borrinaga said Viduya has been the subject of surveillance by PDEA agents, who implemented the operation in Bontoc, which is the safest place to conduct the apprehension.
He said they could not apprehend Viduya while he was still in Kalinga due to the reported presence of insurgent groups the area.
"We could not nab him along the way for security reasons." Borrinaga said.
The suspect is reportedly an escapee from the Benguet Provincial Jail, where he was serving his sentence for frustrated rape.
Police Regional Office-Cordillera regional director Raul Gonzales said these seizures would significantly reduce the volume of drugs being supplied to other areas in the country.
But while admitting that there are still several marijuana plantations in the region, he said, these are only enough to supply local consumption.
Gonzales disputed impressions that the country is exporting the illegal plant, saying there has been no seizure of marijuana from the Philippines in foreign countries.
Meanwhile, another 20 kilos were also intercepted in Tabuk, Kalinga at around 5:00 of March 19, worth P500,000 and found packed in a carton along the national road at sitio Lacnog, Bulanao, Tabuk, Kalinga.
The suspect was still being hunted down by the police while the intercepted dangerous drug was brought to the Tabuk MPS for safekeeping.
23 Mar 2006
by Jane Cadalig, Ernie Olson Jr,
JOINT personnel of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency ( PDEA ) seized an estimated 507 kilograms of dried marijuana bricks worth P12,675,000 in three separate anti-dangerous drug operations this week.
At around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, 15 kilos of dried cannabis sativa hemp in brick form with a DDB value of P375,000 was recovered by personnel of the La Trinidad MPS at AD-123, Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet.
The policemen responded to information of a concerned citizen about some marijuana bricks being left behind by a boarder. These are now in custody of La Trinidad MPS while further investigation is being conducted to identify the suspect.
On Monday, around P11.8-million worth of dried marijuana bricks, weighing 427 kilos, were also seized from a 27-year-old Ilocano suspect in Mt. Province.
PDEA Regional Director Bernardo Borrinaga surmised the bricks came from the town of Tinglayan in Kalinga.
Police authorities said that suspect Romeo Viduya aka Rommel, a native of Candon City, Ilocos Sur, was onboard a public utility vehicle from Kalinga when the police operatives nabbed him along Lagkangeo, Bontoc at around 2:00 p.m. Monday.
Borrinaga said Viduya has been the subject of surveillance by PDEA agents, who implemented the operation in Bontoc, which is the safest place to conduct the apprehension.
He said they could not apprehend Viduya while he was still in Kalinga due to the reported presence of insurgent groups the area.
"We could not nab him along the way for security reasons." Borrinaga said.
The suspect is reportedly an escapee from the Benguet Provincial Jail, where he was serving his sentence for frustrated rape.
Police Regional Office-Cordillera regional director Raul Gonzales said these seizures would significantly reduce the volume of drugs being supplied to other areas in the country.
But while admitting that there are still several marijuana plantations in the region, he said, these are only enough to supply local consumption.
Gonzales disputed impressions that the country is exporting the illegal plant, saying there has been no seizure of marijuana from the Philippines in foreign countries.
Meanwhile, another 20 kilos were also intercepted in Tabuk, Kalinga at around 5:00 of March 19, worth P500,000 and found packed in a carton along the national road at sitio Lacnog, Bulanao, Tabuk, Kalinga.
The suspect was still being hunted down by the police while the intercepted dangerous drug was brought to the Tabuk MPS for safekeeping.