Cotabato City—joint operation was conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) – Sulu Provincial Office, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army, to eradicate a marijuana plantation located in Barangay Pitogo, Kalilangan Caluang, Sulu, on February 21, 2025.
According to Director Gil Cesario P. Castro, approximately 11,950 fully-grown marijuana plants were uprooted from an estimated land area of 1,950 square meters. The total value of the destroyed plants, based on the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) National Average Value, is estimated at Php 10,277,000. The plantation was
allegedly cultivated by a suspect, Alias Mahdi, who was not present during the operation.
The uprooted marijuana plants were promptly destroyed and burned on-site. The suspect involved in the illegal cultivation will face charges under Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.