Cotabato City – Authorities successfully dismantled a drug den and arrested its operator along with five other individuals in a buy-bust operation conducted in Pamaran Village, Purok Digong, Barangay Malinis, Lamitan City, Basilan, on March 7, 2025.
The operation was carried out by a joint task force composed of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA RO BARMM) Basilan Provincial Office, Lamitan City Police Station, the 18th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-Basilan, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
PDEA Director Gil Cessrio P. Castro reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining peace and order, emphasizing that every victory against illegal drugs is a step toward a brighter and safer future for the people of Basilan. He also commended the local government unit (LGU) of Lamitan City, under the leadership of Mayor Orick Furigay, along with other government agencies, for their continuous support of PDEA’s mission.
Confiscated during the operation were 22 sachets of suspected shabu, weighing approximately 12 grams and valued at ₱81,600.00. Authorities also seized buy-bust money, various drug paraphernalia, six mobile phones, and assorted identification cards.
The arrested suspects were identified as:
- Alias Popoy, 34 years old, male (drug den operator)
- Alias Dodong, 45 years old, male
- Alias Janjan, 40 years old, male
- Alias Wi, 28 years old, male
- Alias Mar, 35 years old, male
- Alias Vincent, 25 years old, male
All suspects are residents of the said area. They are now facing charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
