South cotabato: An official from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 12 (Soccsksargen) urged the public on Tuesday to continue sharing intelligence to help prevent the spread of illegal drugs and marijuana in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA-12 Director Benjamin C Recites III made the appeal following a successful operation by anti-narcotics agents on October 19. During the operation, approximately 11,502 fully grown marijuana plants were uprooted and destroyed. The plants, located in Barangay Miasong, Tupi, South Cotabato, had an estimated market value of PHP2.3 million.

Recites stated that the plantation was specifically located at the boundaries of Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat province, and Tupi and Tampakan towns in South Cotabato. ‘A huge part of the confiscated plants was immediately burned on-site, while two uprooted marijuana plants were secured for laboratory examination to be used as evidence in court,’ Recites said in a statement. He commended various police units involved in the law enforcement operation.

The alleged owner and plantation maintainer, known as alias Jan Cris, remains at large. Authorities continue their efforts to arrest the suspect.