Police seize ₱9.8M in drugs across CAR

BENGUET/BAGUIO CITY/KALINGA — Authorities seized illegal drugs worth nearly ₱9.82 million and arrested four individuals in separate operations across Benguet, Baguio City, and Kalinga, police reported Wednesday.

In Benguet, police discovered 36,230 fully grown marijuana plants, 3,200 seedlings, and 20,000 grams of dried marijuana stalks during a coordinated eradication operation in Kibungan and Bakun.

The total street value of the seized marijuana is estimated at ₱9.774 million.

Police immediately destroyed the plants and continue to investigate for other plantations in surrounding areas.

Authorities credited the operation’s success to collaboration among multiple units, including the Benguet Police Provincial Office, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-CAR, and local municipal police stations.

Separate buy-bust operations led to four additional arrests.

In Mankayan, a 40-year-old man was apprehended with 4.32 grams of suspected shabu, valued at ₱29,376.

A 37-year-old man was arrested in Itogon with 0.6 gram of suspected shabu, worth ₱4,080.

In Baguio City, a 30-year-old suspect was caught with 1 gram of shabu (₱6,800), while in Tabuk, Kalinga, a 20-year-old was arrested with 0.4 gram of shabu (₱2,720).

All suspects are currently in custody and will face charges under Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.