The fully grown marijuana plant reportedly sold by the suspects to police operatives. Contributed photo.
GAPAN CITY – The relentless anti-drug operations here yielded yet another three alleged marijuana planters and sellers in Barangay Bayanihan here at about 9:30 p.m. Monday.
The suspects who are now detained on charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act were identified as brothers Lito and Michael Balmeo, of San Nicolas, this city and Raymond de Guzman, truck helper, of Barangay Alua, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.
Acting city police chief Lt. Col. Alexie Desamito said the arrest was made after the suspects sold to an undercover policeman one fully grown marijuana plant five feet and seven inches (170.18 cm) in height.
“During the body search, eight plastic sachets of marijuana with total weight of 43.50 grams were recovered from the possession and control of the suspects,” Desamito said. Two of which were recovered from Michael Balmeo and three each from Lito Balmeo and De Guzman, she said.
Authorities also recoverrd from the suspects the ten P1000 bills, of which nine were computer printed, used to buy the fully grown marijuana plant, said Desamito.
More marijuana plants and seedlings were seized in a follow-up operation in San Isidro town on Tuesday, police said.
