PDEA seizes P6M worth of marijuana leaves, powder in Davao

DAVAO CITY – Authorities confiscated some PHP6 million worth of marijuana leaves, marijuana powder, and paraphernalia following a series of operations in this city and Davao del Sur over the past four days.

In a press briefing Thursday, PDEA-11 director Naravy Duquiatan said the successful joint operations conducted by PDEA-11, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation led to the confiscation of 48 kilos of marijuana bricks and 300 grams of marijuana powder.

“First time in the history of Davao Region that we confiscated marijuana powder. It is edible and water soluble and its effect would only take minutes,” she said.

Duquiatan said the series of operations also resulted in the arrest of five suspects -- four from Davao City and one from Davao del Sur.

“The drug personalities are now innovative and have upgraded. We are trying to stop the proliferation, especially the marijuana powder in our region,” she added.

Duquiatan said some of the arrested suspects are part of a drug syndicate, while others are selling drugs individually in the region.

“We conducted surveillance on them and they are operating since 2020. Some of their leaders were already dead,” she said.

Duquiatan, however, assured that there is no existing marijuana warehouse in Mindanao.

She bared that the marijuana stuff came from the Cordillera Region as revealed by the suspects.

“They are distributors and they are not only selling marijuana but also shabu,” she said.

Cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against the suspects. (PNA)