2 road crash victims yield R1.4-M marijuana

BAGUIO CITY — Police seized on Sunday some R1.4 million worth of marijuana from two victims of a vehicular accident along Kennon Road.

The two victims — Jimmsie Galang Salazar, 40, driver of a pick-up truck, a of 13IR Maliksi II, Bacoor Cavite; Justine Jerome Baisa, 28, a resident of 20 Saint Luke’s, Marvi Hills, Brgy Gulod, Malaya San Mateo, Rizal – tried to hid the contraband despite sustaining injuries during the accident.

During the investigation at the scene of the accident, some residents told the investigator that they saw the two occupants quickly get out of their overturned vehicle and pull out a carton box and take it to a grassy area near the river.

When the police searched for it not far from the site of the accident, they found the box containing 12 pieces of tubular containers full of dried marijuana leaves worth PR1.4 million.

The accident occurred at around 4:40 a.m. Sunday at Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet. It was reported to the police around 6:00 a.m.

The vehicle came from Baguio City and was proceeding to the lowland area.

While traversing the downward zigzag of Kennon Road, the driver allegedly felt a brake malfunction. This caused the vehicle to flip over on northbound lane.

As a result, both the driver and passenger sustained injuries and their vehicle sustained severe damage. Ironically, the two occupants refused medical attention.

The two victims are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (The Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).