GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 12 (PDEA-12) successfully dismantled a notorious drug den in Purok 18, Employees Village, Barangay Fatima on Friday morning, August 8, 2025, leading to the arrest of six suspected drug personalities, all identified as High-Value Targets (HVTs).
The buy-bust operation, launched at around 9:35 a.m., was spearheaded by the PDEA-12 Regional Special Enforcement Team with support from the PDEA Sarangani Provincial Office, PDEA RO12 Airport Interdiction Unit, and the PNP General Santos City Police Office – Police Station 7.
Authorities seized approximately eight grams of suspected shabu packed in eight heat-sealed plastic sachets. Also recovered from the scene were various drug paraphernalia, including two disposable lighters, three aluminum foil tooters, three aluminum foil strips, two improvised glass tooters, and one roll of aluminum foil.
The arrested suspects were identified as Tata, 46, alleged den maintainer; Maymay, 42, co-den maintainer; Melanie, 42, employee; Lead, 37, employee; Walid, 27, visitor; and Abduljabar, 39, visitor — all residents of General Santos City.
They are now facing multiple charges for violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 13, and 14 of Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PDEA-12 Regional Director Benjamin C. Recites III reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to intensify anti-illegal drug operations in Region XII, targeting high-value personalities and dismantling drug dens to protect communities from the dangers of narcotics.