BUTUAN CITY, Philippines - Two people were arrested at a checkpoint in La Paz town, Agusan del Sur after they were found to be carrying two kilograms of dried marijuana with an estimated street value of P12,000.
A belated report reaching the regional police office here Wednesday identified the suspects as Gael June Urdanilla Bentoso, a 30-year-old farmer and 18-year-old RJ Canogo Saday, an out of school youth.
The report said the two suspects - both residents of Purok 5, Sitio Tagado, Brgy. Sagunto in La Paz - were arrested Sunday afternoon after an inspection on their motorcycle yielded the package containing marijuana.
Police also confiscated the suspects' motorcycle and a mobile phone.
The joint police and military checkpoint was set up following reports of sightings of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the area.
Police said appropriate complaints were already filed against the suspects after they were brought to La Paz Municipal Police Station for questioning.
Earlier, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration (PDEA) said suspected marijuana plantations are being developed in La Paz town producing dried marijuana that are sold to the nearby cities of Butuan, Surigao, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and other towns in the Caraga Region. - GMANews.TV