Police anti-narcotics agents are investigating reports that local drug syndicates are now producing marijuana oil for users of electronic cigarettes popularly known as vaping.
Police Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, head of the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group, said they received intelligence reports that marijuana oil is being used in vaping while casing a local drug syndicate that produces and sells marijuana – the Cyrus Group, whose leader and three members were arrested in Tabuk City, Kalinga last Friday after yielding some 100 kilograms of marijuana in a buy-bust operation.
“It is believed, based on reliable intelligence information, that the group already possessed the technological know-how to produce marijuana oil for the consumption of vape using millennial consumers,” said Ferro.
Ferro could not immediately say when did the Cyrus Group learn the process of producing marijuana oil for vaping as well as the people or group they are selling the marijuana oil.
“This is still the subject of our in-depth investigation,” said Ferro.
Vaping, which is seen as an alternative to regular cigarette smoking, is popular among millennials. Several shops have been selling vape and vaping oil with various flavors.
Following the buy-bust in Tabuk City, Ferro said they were able to track down their marijuana plantation in Barangay Loccong, Tinglayan, Kalinga.
“We discovered in the area 240,500 fully gown marijuana plants from a land area of 14,200 square meters. This has a street value of P49.6 million,” said Ferro.
Ferro said the marijuana plantation is one of the main sources of the Cyrus Group which enabled them to sell 100 kilos of marijuana.
“The operation served as warning to the cultivators to stop their illegal activities and as a reminder to the Barangay Anti-drug Abuse Council of Barangay Loccong to do their respective duties and functions and further enhance their anti-illegal drug campaign,” said Ferro.
He said coordination will be made with local authorities to discourage their constituents from cultivating marijuana. (Aaron Recuenco)