CPNP: MJ becoming drug of choice in NCR

Police and anti-narcotics operatives are investigating if marijuana is becoming a drug of choice, as the Philippine National Police sees an increasing volume of cannabis in urban centers, particularly the National Capital Region.  
PNP Chief Debold Sinas said they are also investigating the sources of marijuana in the urban areas even as he claimed the Cordillera is one of the sources of the recently seized illegal plants.
Police also seized hybrid marijuana kush and party drugs.
In November last year, 128 blocks of marijuana worth P26 million were confiscated along Edsa in Balintawak, Quezon City.
The PNP reported the confiscated marijuana blocks, which were suspected to have come from the Cordillera, were supposed to be delivered in Metro Manila and Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions.
Sinas also reported the PNP drug enforcement units are closely monitoring the reported entry of kush cannabis, which is more potent and lethal than the local varieties.
“Lagi naming nahuhuli ito sa NCR and we’re checking kung may nagtatanim dito o wala. So far, dito sa Cordillera, iyong mga local naman na marijuana pa rin ang tinatanim,” he said. 
The chief PNP, who was the guest of honor during the 30th PNP anniversary at Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet, lauded the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, particularly its series of marijuana eradications in Kalinga and Benguet even during the pandemic.
PRO-Cor records show police operations from January to Feb. 17 this year resulted in the destruction of P79.8M worth of marijuana plants in various areas of Benguet and Kalinga.
Last year, more than P500M worth of marijuana were also destroyed in the region with the Kalinga Police Provincial Office under Col. Dave Limmong leading the charge.
Sinas also reiterated the continuing random drug testing for PNP personnel especially for those in the various drug enforcement units, who are tested at least once a month.
Any personnel found using illegal drugs is dismissed within two months. – Ofelia C. Empian