COTABATO CITY — A Regional Target List (RTL) personality and three of his alleged cohorts were arrested after authorities dismantled a drug den in a successful buy-bust operation at Rosary Heights 11, Cotabato City on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
The joint operation was carried out by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) BARMM, spearheaded by the PDEA Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Office and Land Interdiction Unit, with support from the PNP Maritime, Cotabato City Police Office–Criminal Investigation Unit (CCPO-CIU), City Mobile Force Company (CMFC), and the Cotabato City Police Office–City Drug Enforcement Unit (CCPO-CDEU).
Arrested during the operation was alias “Kamlon,” 48, identified as a Regional Target List personality and the alleged maintainer of the drug den. Also taken into custody were his suspected patrons: alias “Abo,” 31, married, a payong-payong driver from Malagapas; alias “Amir,” 40, a resident of Rosary Heights 6; and alias “Sam,” 49, a payong-payong driver residing in Rosary Heights 7, all in Cotabato City.
Authorities seized 19 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, with an estimated total weight of 17 grams and a standard value of ₱115,600.00. Also recovered were buy-bust money, one mobile phone, an identification card, and various drug paraphernalia used in the illegal drug trade.
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 BARMM officials said the successful operation underscores the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs in the region, particularly the dismantling of drug dens that pose a serious threat to communities.
Authorities urged the public to continue cooperating and reporting suspicious activities as law enforcement agencies sustain their crackdown on illegal drugs in Cotabato City and across BARMM.