P240-K worth of ‘marijuana’ plants uprooted in San Carlos

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Two farmers were arrested after police uprooted two kilograms of suspected marijuana plants worth P240,000 at Sitio Handalago, Barangay Nataban, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental yesterday.

Arrested were Armando Quejado, 27; and Peter Loar, 30, both residents of the said village.

Police recovered 57 fully grown suspected marijuana plants, and a bolo.

According to Police Lt. Col. Jesus Mesahon Jr., city police chief, some residents have complained about the presence of the marijuana plants.

But they could not immediately report to the police as they were afraid since Loar was allegedly armed.

After recently receiving reports, Mesahon said they conducted surveillance in the area to confirm it.

Mesahon said the plants were hidden by grasses in a remote area of the village.

“Indi mo dayon makita kay ara gid sa babaw bukid,” he added.

Mesahon said the two suspects denied the allegations against them.

“Indi man na kuno ila tanom,” he added.

Mesahon said drug charges are being readied against the two suspects.

Meanwhile, an estimated P368,840 worth of suspected shabu was seized in separate buy-bust operations here and in Negros Occidental in the past three days.

In Silay City, Sharon Pelaez, 45, of Barangay Mambulac, listed as top 2 in the drugs priority list in the city, was arrested in the said village last Wednesday, after police confiscated from him 15 grams of suspected shabu worth P102,000.

In Bacolod, nine persons were also arrested with the confiscation of P266,840 worth of suspected shabu last Thursday and Friday.