FOUR individuals, including a minor, were arrested on Sunday, June 27, 2021, after police intercepted their vehicle and found it loaded with marijuana worth P1.2 million in Isabela.
Arrested were Jerwin Lipalam, 24; Jayson Pallares Tresmil, 24; Alvin Lampag Guiab, 20; and alias Marco, 17.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar on Monday, June 28, said the Rizal Municipal Station in Kalinga conducted a checkpoint after receiving information that the suspects bought marijuana leaves and stalks in Tabuk City, Kalinga.
Instead of stopping at the checkpoint, the suspects sped up, resulting in a chase. Police alerted other units and the suspects were intercepted in Barangay Alunan, Quezon in Isabela.
Seized from their possession were 10 pieces of marijuana dried leaves and stalks in bricks form weighing around 10 kilos with an estimated street value of P1.2 million. A caliber .38 revolver and ammunition were also recovered from the suspects.
Eleazar also said P10.63 million worth of marijuana plants and leaves were burned in Kibungan, Benguet over the weekend.
He assured that marijuana eradication operations will continue, not just in the Cordillera Administrative Region, but also in other parts of the country.
“Hindi kami titigil hanggang hindi namin napipigil ang talamak na paggamit at bentahan ng lahat ng klase ng iligal na droga sa bansa,” Eleazar said. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)