STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur — Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XI (PDEA-11) successfully dismantled an alleged drug den in Sitio Tacub, Barangay Zone 1, Sta. Cruz, following a buy-bust operation conducted late morning on January 21, 2026.
The operation, carried out at around 11:05 a.m., was led by the PDEA Davao del Sur Provincial Office in close coordination with the Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office. Authorities identified the primary target as alias “Gaw,” 23, who was allegedly maintaining the illegal drug den.
According to PDEA-11, alias “Gaw” was arrested after selling a sachet of suspected shabu weighing approximately 1.5 grams, valued at ₱8,000, to an undercover operative. Two other individuals were also apprehended during the operation: alias “Giovanie,” identified as an alleged employee of the drug den, and alias “Alnajer,” described as a visitor at the time of the raid.
Law enforcement officers seized a total of seven sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 25 grams, with an estimated street value of ₱200,000. Also recovered were assorted drug paraphernalia, shabu residue, and marked buy-bust money used during the operation.
Authorities said charges are being readied against the three suspects for violations of Sections 5 (sale of dangerous drugs), 6 (maintenance of a drug den), 7 (employees and visitors of a drug den), 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), 13 (possession of dangerous drugs during parties), 14 (possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs), and 26 (attempt or conspiracy) under Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PDEA-11 reiterated its commitment to intensifying anti-illegal drug operations in coordination with law enforcement partners, stressing that the dismantling of drug dens remains a priority to protect communities from the harmful effects of illegal drugs.