March 22, 2026 | Patikul, Sulu — A joint anti-drug operation by government forces led to the dismantling of a suspected drug den in a remote village in Patikul, Sulu, resulting in the arrest of six افراد and the seizure of illegal drugs and paraphernalia, authorities reported.
Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office IX – Sulu Provincial Office, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), carried out a buy-bust operation in Sitio Bastiong, Barangay Langhub that exposed an active drug den operating in the area.
Seized during the operation were approximately 10 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” with an estimated street value of ₱68,000. Authorities also recovered buy-bust money, a digital weighing scale, an analog mobile phone, and assorted drug paraphernalia believed to have been used in the illegal drug trade.
Arrested were six individuals identified only by their aliases: “Tawil,” tagged as an employee; “Kabir,” the alleged maintainer of the drug den; and visitors “Al,” “Asgal,” “Organi,” and “Ben.” All suspects are residents of Sulu.
However, the operation nearly turned deadly when a seventh suspect, identified as “Aljon,” allegedly the financier of the illegal operation, detected the presence of law enforcement operatives and opened fire in an attempt to evade arrest. Authorities responded but the suspect managed to flee and remains at large as of this writing.
A manhunt is now underway to locate and apprehend the fugitive, with authorities warning that intensified follow-up operations will continue against remaining members of the drug network.
The operation was backed by a wide array of security and intelligence units, including the 54th Special Action Company of the PNP Special Action Force, Patikul Municipal Police Station, the Philippine Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion, the PNP Regional Intelligence Unit IX, Sulu Provincial Police Office – Provincial Intelligence Unit, Regional Mobile Force Battalion IX – 905th Mobile Company, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the National Intelligence Coordination Agency IX.
Authorities emphasized that all confiscated evidence was properly inventoried and documented in the presence of a barangay official, a representative from the National Prosecution Service, and a media representative, in compliance with Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The arrested suspects are now facing multiple charges under Article II of the law, including the sale of dangerous drugs, conspiracy to sell, maintenance of a drug den, and possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia. Cases will be filed through inquest proceedings.
Law enforcement agencies reiterated their firm commitment to intensifying the campaign against illegal drugs, stressing that even geographically isolated and high-risk areas will not serve as safe havens for criminal activity.
“This operation sends a clear message: no place is beyond the reach of the law,” authorities said, as they vowed to continue dismantling drug networks and safeguarding communities from the persistent threat of illegal drugs.