ASUNCION, Davao del Norte — Authorities arrested a total of nine individuals, including alleged high-value targets, and seized illegal drugs, contraband, and a vehicle during two successive anti-illegal drug operations conducted on the night of January 29 and early morning of January 30, 2026, in this town. The total estimated value of seized drugs and contraband exceeded ₱775,000.
The first operation was carried out at around 10:28 p.m. on January 29 at Purok 8, Barangay Doña Andrea, led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Davao del Norte Provincial Office in coordination with the Asuncion Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Philippine Coast Guard–Southeastern Mindanao.
The operation targeted a suspected drug den and resulted in the arrest of alias “Chong,” 34, identified as a drug den maintainer and a high-value individual (HVI). Also apprehended inside the drug den were alias “Andoy,” identified as an employee, and alias “Jeje,” a visitor.
According to PDEA-Region XI, an undercover operative purchased one sachet of suspected shabu worth ₱8,000 from the suspect. A subsequent search led to the recovery of additional sachets of suspected shabu, bringing the total confiscated illegal drugs to an estimated 15 grams with a standard drug price of approximately ₱102,000. Authorities also seized marked and boodle money, a Realme cellular phone, drug paraphernalia, and other personal belongings.
The arrested suspects and seized evidence were turned over to PDEA Regional Office XI for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
In a follow-up buy-bust operation conducted at around 1:57 a.m. on January 30 at Purok 4, Barangay Cambanogoy, joint operatives of the Asuncion MPS and the 1st Davao del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company, in coordination with PDEA, arrested three more suspects identified as alias “Yan,” “Obit,” and “Bots.”
Recovered from their possession were three sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 1.5 grams with a standard drug price of ₱12,200, marked money, two cellular phones, 497 reams of New Orleans cigarettes valued at about ₱661,010, and a white Foton passenger van. The suspects are facing charges for violations of Republic Act 9165 and Republic Act 10643 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).
All arrested individuals and confiscated items are currently under the custody of the Asuncion Municipal Police Station for further investigation.
Police Colonel Glenn G. Cristines, Provincial Director of the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO), commended the operating units for their effective coordination and successful implementation of the operations.
“These successful operations demonstrate our unwavering resolve to rid our communities of illegal drugs and other criminal activities,” Cristines said. “We will continue to intensify our law enforcement efforts and encourage the public to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.”
The series of arrests underscores intensified anti-drug efforts in Davao del Norte as authorities sustain coordinated operations against illegal drugs and related criminal activities.