TABUK CITY, Kalinga: Three men were arrested on Sunday, March 3, after they yielded P4.3 million worth of marijuana bricks at a checkpoint in Sitio Dinakan, Barangay Dangoy, Lubuagan, Kalinga, police said.

The Philippine National Police-Kalinga information officer, Cpt. Ruffy Manganip, identified those arrested as Lloyd Driggs Fernandez, 28; Romnick Mendoza, 32, a tricycle driver; and Christian Lester Mariano, 31. All are residents of Paso De Blas, Valenzuela City.

Seized from them were 35 cartons of dried leaves of marijuana bricks and tube-shaped marijuana bricks weighing 36 kilos and worth P4.32 million.

The three were on board a sports utility vehicle (SUV) when they arrived at the checkpoint in Barangay Dangoy. The police tried to stop them, but instead of stopping, they accelerated their car and crashed into the signage at the checkpoint.

For bumping off a signage, the three SUV occupants were arrested.

It was during the police's inspection of their car that the marijuana bricks placed in boxes were discovered, and police suspected the hot items were to be delivered in Manila.

The three were indicted on Monday, March 4.

Manganip said they are verifying if the three men are related to those previously arrested trying to transport marijuana out of Kalinga.