LUBUAGAN, Kalinga: A farmer was arrested by combined police operatives and anti-narcotics agents for possessing more than P2.6 million worth of marijuana at a police checkpoint at Sitio Dinakan, Barangay Dangoy here on Thursday.
Gen. Mafelino Bazar, Cordillera Police Regional Office regional director, identified the arrested suspect as Ersilias Maccay Baccoy, 36 years old, farmer, and a resident of Barangay Butbut Proper, Tinglayan, Kalinga.
Bazar said police operatives from various units in the province received information that a private vehicle will be transporting marijuana products from Tinglayan going to Tabuk City, Kalinga.
Acting on the said information, the police established a checkpoint that resulted in the arrest of the suspect and the confiscation of 22 bricks of dried marijuana leaves and stalks with fruiting tops weighing more or less 22,000 grams with a standard drug price of P2,640,000.
Inventory of the pieces of evidence recovered was conducted on-site in the presence of the arrested suspect and witnessed by Bernadette Malayo, Department of Justice representative; Janette Alagao, media representative; and Kagawad Edna Taotao of Barangay Dangoy.
Furthermore, the arrested suspect and the seized contraband were brought to the Lubuagan station. Charges for the Violation of Republic Act 9165 or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” will be filed against the suspect while the seized contraband will undergo proper documentation and disposition.
Last Saturday, September 24, two individuals were also arrested for transporting P17.2 million worth of marijuana at a police checkpoint.