PHOTO CAPTION
‘OPLAN HUGOT.’ Members of the Police Regional Officer 11 carry the marijuana plants uprooted in
Bgy. Balasiao, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur. The uprooted cannabis plants were immediately destroyed on site. Photo courtesy of PRO11
SOME P5.2 million fully-grown marijuana plants were uprooted and destroyed by members of the Davao del Sur police during an anti-illegal drugs operation in the province over the weekend.
Police Regional Office 11 director Brig. Gen. Benjamin Silo Jr. said personnel of the 1st and 2nd Davao Sur Mobile Provincial Mobile Force Company, Kiblawan police, Philippine National Police –Drug Enforcement Group, and the 39th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, went to the hinterlands in Bgy. Balasiao, Kiblawan to conduct a series of anti-drug operations.
Dubbed “Oplan Hugot,” the operating teams uprooted over 26,000 fully-grown marijuana plants valued at P5,270,000.
Silo sad the three-day operations were conducted in Sitios Latnabag, Lamikon and Lamlango in Bgy. Balasiao, Kiblawan .
The official said the operation is aimed at eradicating the proliferation of illegal planting of marijuana, use and sale of illegal drugs, as well as the arrest of “high-value” drug targets.
According to Silo, the successful operation was a result of extensive intelligence monitoring and case building and active support of other government agencies and the community.