Police uproot 13,000 marijuana plants in Chimbu village

POLICE in Chimbu uprooted over 13,000 matured marijuana plants in a hillside garden at the back of Koge village in Sinasina last week.
Acting provincial police commander Chief Inspector Lawrence Israel confirmed the uprooting and destruction of the plants by members of the special police operation ‘Weeding Grass’.
He described it as the largest plantation of marijuana destroyed by the operation. Israel said six elderly men involved in the cultivation and distribution of drugs have been in the trade for nearly their all their adult lives.
“These men were growing and selling marijuana for more than 30 to 40 years. They finally wanted to call it a quit so they invited the police unit to the area,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the five, Menga Kenamil said they were growing and distributing marijuana for many years because there were no opportunities created for them,
“The Government has no input in our lives, therefore we went into this business to find money that we need to buy food, clothes, school fees and meet other financial needs,” Kenamil said.
Police operation commander Detective Yatefa Welis thanked the men and the young men for
being brave enough to say no to drugs.
He also thanked police in Sinasina-Yongumugl led by station commander Rex Fuafa for assisting them in uprooting of marijuana plants.
“I am satisfied that fathers who have been in the drug business for many years have finally given up and the young men are following their example.
“Let’s make our community drug-free and we can have peace and unity,” Welis said.