PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — A joint operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office IX (PDEA RO9) and the Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET) successfully dismantled a drug den and arrested five suspects, including two minors, during a search warrant operation in Barangay Sta. Maria late Thursday night, October 3, 2025.
According to PDEA RO9, agents swooped down on the target area at around 11:50 p.m., leading to the arrest of the alleged drug den maintainer identified as alias Julius, 36, a construction worker and resident of Barangay Sta. Maria; Bryan, 27, unemployed, from Barangay Gatas; Glenia, 57, a vendor from Barangay Sta. Maria; and two minors who were rescued from the scene.
Recovered during the operation were 16 sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 10 grams with an estimated street value of ₱68,000, along with various drug paraphernalia.
The suspects are facing charges for violation of Sections 6 (Maintenance of a Drug Den), 7 (Employees and Visitors of a Drug Den), 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), and 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia) under Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The rescued minors were turned over to appropriate authorities for proper intervention and custody.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to intensify anti-drug operations across the Zamboanga Peninsula, targeting not only users but also drug den operators and distributors that continue to fuel the illegal drug trade in the region.