Authorities Eradicate P3.6 Million Worth of Marijuana Plants in Ilocos Sur Operation

Law enforcement officials dismantled extensive marijuana plantations valued at approximately P3.6 million in the remote Barangay Licungan, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, following a joint operation conducted on September 21, according to a police report released Thursday.

A coordinated team comprising personnel from the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Kimat, led by Lt. Col. David Dulnuan and Lt. Chester Dandin, located seven distinct marijuana growing sites scattered across the mountainous terrain of the barangay. In total, authorities uprooted 21,550 mature plants and 450 seedlings, covering an area of about 3,260 square meters.

The largest cache was found at the seventh site, where roughly 8,500 plants estimated at P1.7 million in value were seized. Other sites yielded varying quantities between 150 and 3,500 plants, each valued from P30,000 to P548,000. Acting on a tip from local residents, officials also discovered a plantation containing 2,400 plants and 250 seedlings with an estimated worth exceeding P410,000.

Following the seizure, PDEA personnel incinerated all confiscated plants immediately on location, with Barangay Captain Himeno Manuel present to witness the destruction.

Despite the significant find, no individuals were apprehended during the operation. Authorities have confirmed that this is part of continued efforts to eliminate unlawful drug cultivation in the province.