Over 800K worth of Marijuana Plants destroyed; Three Drugs personalities busted in Benguet

(January 8, 2022) – A total of Php 816,000.00 worth of marijuana plants were eradicated and three (3) drug personalities were arrested by PROCOR cops in separate anti-illegal drugs operations conducted in Benguet from January 4 to 6, 2022.

Citing the reports submitted to PROCOR Regional Director, PBGEN RONALD OLIVER LEE, for the 3-day operations, one (1) marijuana plantation site was discovered in Brgy. Poblacion, Bakun while four (4) plantation sites were discovered in Brgy. Tacadang, Kibungan. In addition, three-drug personalities identified as Rey Fayong Changrapen, 30; Leonard Bagtila Apalla, 33; and Virgilio Bagtila Apalla, 41 were arrested in separate buy-bust operations conducted by Benguet PPO operatives.

In Brgy. Poblacion, Bakun, operatives of Bakun MPS discovered a total of 1,600 pieces of Fully Grown Marijuana Plants (FGMP) with Standard Drug Price (SDP) amounting to Php 320,000.00 cultivated in 400 square meters communal land.

Meanwhile, in Brgy. Tacadang, Kibungan, operatives of Kibungan MPS have discovered a total of 2,480 pieces of FGMP with SDP amounting to Php 496,000.00 cultivated in a total land area of 620 square meters.

All discovered marijuana plants were uprooted and burned on-site by the respective operatives while investigations are ongoing to identify possible cultivators.

Further, in a buy-bust operation conducted in Brgy. Poblacion, Mankayan, suspect Rey was arrested after he sold to an operative who acted as poseur buyer one (1) plastic sachet of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 0.30 grams and SDP of Php 2,040.00.

Also, in a separate buy-bust operation, suspect Leonard was arrested after he sold two (2) pieces of a plastic sachet of suspected shabu with an estimated total weight of 0.09 grams and SDP of Php 612.00 to an operative who acted as a poseur buyer.

Furthermore, in Brgy. Abatan, Buguias, suspect Virgilio was arrested after he sold to an operative who acted as poseur buyer one (1) plastic sachet of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 0.25 grams and an SDP of Php 1,700.00

The arrested suspects and the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the custody of the respective operating units for documentation and proper disposition while the suspects will be facing charges for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PROCOR-PIO)