MARIJUANA PLANTATION RAIDED

SIATON, Negros Oriental - Police and soldiers raided Tuesday a small
marijuana plantation in Sitio Estakahan, Barangay Apoloy, Siaton, Negros
Oriental.

2nd Lt. Don C. Villanueva, commanding officer of Bravo Company of the 61st
Infantry Battalion, said the raid took place following a tip from an informer.

During the raid, the owner of the small plantation measuring 10 meters by
ten meters, Roger Bahita, eluded arrest.

The raiders uprooted and confiscated seven marijuana plants measuring more
than two feet in height.

Lt. Villanueva said there was indication that some plants had been uprooted
earlier.

Meanwhile the police here arrested Tuesday two youths caught in the act of
smoking marijuana cigarettes.

The suspects were identified as Alberto Cimafranca, 20, single, jobless,
and Juan de la Cruz (not his real name), 17, single, and a student. Both
are residents of poblacion.

The two men were caught smoking the banned substance on the second floor of
the Siaton Public Market.

Siaton chief of police Insp. Regulo Getalan said he and his men patrolled
the market after receiving a tip from an informer.

The police confiscated two sticks of marijuana.

The suspects were detained at the Siaton jail for the filing of a charge
for violation of the anti-drugs law.