Cotabato City — A midnight anti-drug operation led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) resulted in the dismantling of a drug den and the arrest of five suspects in Purok Kabuntalan, Poblacion Mother, Cotabato City, early Wednesday, August 21, 2025.
The buy-bust was carried out at around 12:05 a.m. by the PDEA Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Office, with support from the Maguindanao del Sur and Lanao Provincial Offices, the Land Interdiction Unit, the PNP Maritime Group, the Cotabato City Police Office–City Intelligence Unit (CCPO-CIU), the City Mobile Force Company (CMFC), and the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit–PRO BAR.
Authorities seized thirteen (13) heat-sealed transparent sachets containing approximately 15 grams of suspected shabu, along with buy-bust money, a mobile phone, and assorted drug paraphernalia.
PDEA-BARMM Director Gil Cesario P. Castro identified the arrested suspects as alias “Teddy,” the drug den maintainer, 32, married, and jobless; alias “Marlon,” 44, married, a laborer; alias “Zol,” 28, single, a computer shop caretaker; alias “Joharto,” 35, single, and a high school level graduate; and alias “Abad,” 32, married, a driver. All are residents of Cotabato City.
The suspects face multiple charges for violation of Sections 5 and 6 (non-bailable, punishable by life imprisonment), 7, 11, 12, and 15 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Director Castro reiterated PDEA’s commitment to its anti-drug campaign, stressing that drug dens remain a persistent threat in Cotabato City. “We remain relentless in our operations to protect our people, especially the youth, from the scourge of dangerous drugs,” he said.