8,000 marijuana seedlings torched in Kapangan, Benguet; Haul valued at P320K

KAPANGAN, Benguet – Police uprooted and destroyed 8,000 marijuana seedlings worth P320,000 in a communal forest in Kapangan, Benguet, on November 11, as authorities continue to target illegal marijuana plantations in the province's remote areas.

The plantation, covering approximately 1,000 square meters, was discovered in Sitio Lod-on, Barangay Gadang, during an eradication operation led by the Kapangan Municipal Police Station (MPS).

Authorities documented the seedlings before uprooting and burning them at the site.

The operation was conducted under the Benguet Police Provincial Office's (PPO) “Oplan Ultimate Grass Cutter,” with personnel from the 2nd Benguet Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), Provincial Intelligence Team (PIT) of Benguet-RIU14, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera Administrative Region (PDEA-CAR) providing support.

The latest operation adds to previous marijuana plantation discoveries in Kapangan. On January 28, authorities reportedly discovered four plantation sites in Barangay Central containing 625 fully grown marijuana plants and 10,000 grams of dried marijuana components valued at approximately P1.325 million.

The repeated discovery of marijuana plantations in the municipality highlights the continuing challenge of preventing illegal cultivation in Benguet's remote and forested communities.

Benguet's marijuana eradication campaign

Benguet police have reported significant gains in their anti-marijuana campaign this year.

On May 1, Benguet PPO Public Information Officer PMaj. Edwin Sergio said authorities had destroyed more than P598 million worth of marijuana plants and products in the province from January 16 to April 26, 2026.

Police identified Kapangan, Kibungan and Bakun as among the areas where most plantation sites were discovered, while Tublay, Sablan and Bokod were also being monitored for possible illegal cultivation.

The Benguet PPO said it would continue intensifying eradication operations and strengthening coordination with communities and other government agencies to prevent illegal marijuana cultivation.