Mati City, Davao Oriental — A couple—identified by aliases “Habib” and “Mat”—was arrested in a late-night PDEA buy-bust operation on August 29, 2025, around 11:50 p.m. in Barangay Central, Purok 2. The agents recovered approximately 50 grams of suspected shabu, indicating mid-level drug dealing.
The suspects face charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
This operation comes amid heightened anti-drug vigilance in the region. Earlier in 2025, the provincial government established the Davao Oriental Seaport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Taskforce (DOSIDIT)—a joint effort to secure Mati’s seaports and prevent the trafficking of illegal drugs via maritime routes. The move reflects the perceived vulnerability of these entry and exit points to syndicate exploitation.
Although there is no formal classification of Mati City as a “drug transit point,” the creation of DOSIDIT signals significant concern among officials. The city’s coastal access and port operations have compelled law enforcement to shore up defenses in maritime and land-based operations alike.