MANILA, Philippines — February 26, 2026 — Authorities destroyed P22.8 million worth of dried marijuana in Kibungan, Benguet, as part of a coordinated anti-drug operation led by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). 

The operation, conducted on February 24, uncovered 190,000 grams of dried marijuana stalks and leaves with fruiting tops, which were later burned in a communal forest area.

The destruction was carried out by a composite team from the PNP’s Provincial Intelligence Unit, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and Provincial Special Operations Group, in coordination with the Kibungan Municipal Police Station, the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Benguet Police Provincial Office, and PDEA-Cordillera Administrative Region. The operation lasted from 8:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. and targeted three separate sites where marijuana plants were discovered.

Police officials said the successful operation was part of the Marcos administration’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs, which has shifted focus from urban centers to rural areas where marijuana cultivation remains prevalent. 

Benguet, particularly Kibungan and nearby towns, has long been identified as a hotspot for marijuana plantations due to its mountainous terrain and climate favorable for cultivation.

The PNP emphasized that the destruction of the marijuana haul was necessary to prevent its distribution in the market, where it could have fueled illegal trade worth millions of pesos. No arrests were reported during the operation, but authorities said investigations are ongoing to identify the cultivators and financiers behind the plantations.

This latest crackdown underscores the government’s continuing efforts to dismantle drug networks and eliminate sources of illegal substances in the Cordillera region. Officials vowed to sustain operations in Benguet and other provinces known for marijuana cultivation, stressing that the fight against illegal drugs remains a top priority for law enforcement agencies.

The burning of the P22.8 million worth of marijuana is seen as a major blow to local drug syndicates, but authorities acknowledged that persistent monitoring and community cooperation will be crucial to ensure long-term success in curbing marijuana production in the region.

Image from PRO CAR