BAGUIO CITY — Authorities successfully seized over ₱17.7 million worth of marijuana and arrested two suspects in a hot pursuit operation in Bakun, Benguet, on 4 November 2025.

Members of the Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO Cordillera) confiscated the illegal drugs and apprehended two male individuals who tried to evade a checkpoint while transporting sacks of dried marijuana leaves. According to the report of the 1st Benguet Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO), they were conducting a checkpoint operation in Sitio Gakian, Barangay Gambang, Bakun, Benguet.

The cops noticed a vehicle approaching the checkpoint that abruptly turned around and sped back toward Barangay Ampusongan, Bakun. Law enforcers immediately launched a hot pursuit operation.

The operating teams coordinated with the Bakun Municipal Police Station (MPS), the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit to set up a new checkpoint in Sitio Ay-ay, Barangay Ampusongan. The vehicle was cornered at Sitio Mogao, Barangay Gambang, and the two occupants, aged 25 and 24, both residents of Parañaque City, were apprehended.

An inspection of the vehicle yielded:

• 127 tubular forms of dried marijuana leaves, weighing 127 kilograms, with a Standard Drug Price (SDP) of ₱15,240,000

• One yellow sack containing 10.27 kg of dried marijuana leaves, with an SDP of ₱1,232,400

• One garbage bag containing 10.4 kg of dried marijuana leaves and stalks, with an SDP of ₱1,248,000

The total estimated worth of the confiscated marijuana is over ₱17,720,400. The suspects and the confiscated evidence are now in the custody of the Bakun MPS for documentation and disposition.

The two will face criminal charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.