COTABATO CITY — Authorities successfully dismantled a drug den and arrested five suspected drug personalities during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) on June 10, 2026.
The operation, led by the PDEA Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Office, was carried out at the Anonat Residence in Purok Sentro, 2nd Batch Krislamville, Rosary Heights VI, Cotabato City, resulting in the arrest of individuals allegedly involved in illegal drug activities.
The anti-drug operation was conducted with the support of the City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO-CDEU), the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), and the Cotabato City Police Office – City Intelligence Unit (CCPO-CIU).
Authorities identified the arrested suspects as alias “Yoyong,” 52, who was tagged as the alleged drug den maintainer; alias “Jimboy,” 25; alias “Adrian,” 21, a student; alias “Rowejey,” 21, also a student; and alias “Jomar,” 21, a college-level student. All suspects are residents of the area where the operation was conducted.
During the operation, law enforcement officers seized nine heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing approximately 10 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱68,000. Also recovered were a mobile phone and assorted drug paraphernalia believed to have been used in the operation and maintenance of the drug den.
Investigators said the confiscated items will be subjected to laboratory examination as part of the ongoing case build-up against the suspects.
The successful operation forms part of the intensified anti-illegal drug campaign of the government aimed at dismantling drug networks and eliminating drug dens that continue to threaten community safety and public order.
The five suspects are expected to face multiple charges under Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. These include violations of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Section 6 (Maintenance of a Drug Den), Section 7 (Employees and Visitors of a Drug Den), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), and Section 15 (Use of Dangerous Drugs).
PDEA-BARMM reiterated its commitment to sustaining aggressive and intelligence-driven operations against illegal drug activities across the region. The agency also encouraged the public to continue cooperating with authorities by reporting suspicious activities linked to the illegal drug trade.
Officials emphasized that the dismantling of the drug den demonstrates the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in combating the proliferation of illegal drugs and maintaining peace and security in Cotabato City and neighboring communities.