Policemen yesterday uprooted 59 marijuana plants, discovered cultivated inside the property of Maricalum Mining Corp. in Sitio Manluy-a, Brgy. San Jose, Sipalay City.

Chief Inspector Arnel Arpon, Sipalay police chief, said the discovery of the marijuana plants was made after information was relayed to them by a concerned citizen, who provided them with a sketch of the location.

The uprooted marijuana plants were about two feet tall, and planted near spring of water, Arpon said.

They have no idea who the marijuana cultivator is, he added.

Under Republic Act 9165, known as the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002, cultivation of marijuana is punishable by life imprisonment with a fine of P500,000, he said.

It took more than two hours to reach the area where the marijuana, was planted, Arpon said.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, Negros Occidental police director, commended the Sipalay police force for a job well done.

The uprooted marijuana plants are expected to be turned over by the Sipalay police to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency today for proper disposition.*GPB

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