BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON

Around 6,000 marijuana plants were uprooted and burned by a joint force of the PNP and PDEA in the municipality of Tinglayan, Kalinga.

These were discovered in a plantation targeted during a renewed operation against marijuana cultivators and plantations in the province.

The destroyed plants were valued at 1.2 million pesos.

Meanwhile, over 5,800 marijuana plants were discovered in the municipalities of Bakun and Kibungan, Benguet, from January 18 to 19 this year.

These plants were valued at 1.1 million pesos and were immediately uprooted and burned by authorities.

No cultivators were found during these operations.

Authorities have re-arrested 45-year-old Romina Estarija Alabanza in the town of Agoo, La Union.

She was caught selling four sachets of shabu to agents of the PDEA Ilocos Region during a buy-bust operation on Monday, January 20.

The confiscated drugs weighed two grams and were valued at 13,600 pesos.

Authorities also recovered marked money from her. She now faces charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

It can be recalled that Alabanza was previously arrested in September 2021 but was released through a plea bargaining agreement.

However, she was placed under surveillance again due to her resumption of illegal drug activities.