BAGUIO CITY — Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 1 (PDEA-1) and La Union policemen seized 73 kilograms of dried cannabis (marijuana) leaves valued at P8.7 million from an abandoned vehicle by the roadside in Barangay Sasaba, Santol town in La Union on Monday morning.
PDEA Region 1 Regional Director Joel B. Plaza named the suspects as Felmen Day-os Aliles, Jr. and Amado Paycao, who were able to avoid arrest at a checkpoint and fled upon noticing the authorities’ checkpoint on Friday.
PDEA operatives watched over the abandoned vehicle for several days until a search warrant was obtained to open the vehicle on Monday.
At least 73 pieces of elongated rolls of marijuana leaves wrapped with transparent plastic bags and packaging tape with a total weight of 73 kilograms were found from the Mitsubishi Delica van of the duo.
The standard price of a kilo of dried marijuana leaves is set by the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) at P120,000. Mr. Plaza said they will sue the duo for violation of RA 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
On Monday evening, 14 pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing shabu valued at P95,200 were seized from Hilario T. Constantino, 52, during a sting operation in Rosario town also in La Union.
Mr. Constantino will also be facing drug charges, added Mr. Plaza. — Artemio A. Dumlao
