Cotabato City — Authorities dismantled a drug den and arrested four suspected drug personalities during a joint buy-bust operation in Barangay Sarmiento, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on January 27, 2026, dealing a significant blow to the local illegal drug trade.
The operation was spearheaded by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office–BARMM through its Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Offices, in coordination with the Regional Special Enforcement Team and Land Interdiction Unit. The mission was carried out with support from the Philippine National Police, including the PNP Provincial Intelligence Team–Maguindanao del Norte, Regional Intelligence Unit 15, Parang Municipal Police Station, and the 1401st Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-A.
During the operation, authorities seized 21 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated total weight of 17 grams and a standard drug price value of ₱115,600. Also recovered were buy-bust money, assorted drug paraphernalia, a mobile phone, and an identification card.
Arrested were four individuals identified only by their aliases: “Nhor,” 28, alleged to be the drug den maintainer; “Ali,” 30; “Tata,” 44; and “Datdat,” 44, a female. All suspects are residents of the area and were apprehended inside the suspected drug den at the height of the operation.
The suspects are currently detained at the PDEA BARMM Jail Facility and will face charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PDEA officials said the successful operation underscores the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs in the Bangsamoro region and warned that authorities will continue relentless operations to dismantle drug networks and protect communities from the harmful effects of narcotics.