COPS SEIZE 507 KILOS OF MARIJUANA WORTH P12.6-M

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.