PARANG, Maguindanao del Norte — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) dismantled a suspected drug den and arrested four individuals during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sarmiento, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, on September 12, 2026.
The operation was carried out by the PDEA-BARMM through its Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Office, with support from the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 15, the 1401st A Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-A, the Parang Municipal Police Station, and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Unit (PDEG-SOU) 15.
Authorities said the operation resulted in the dismantling of a drug den allegedly being used for illegal drug activities in the area and the arrest of four suspected drug personalities.
Arrested were alias “Dopol,” 50, identified by authorities as the alleged drug den maintainer; alias “Nonoy,” 48; alias “Jerry,” 55; and alias “Ronald,” 40.
During the operation, law enforcement officers seized and recovered 19 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, with an estimated total weight of approximately 25 grams.
PDEA placed the estimated value of the confiscated suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, at approximately ₱170,000.
Authorities also recovered the marked buy-bust money used during the operation, various pieces of suspected drug paraphernalia, one identification card, and one cellphone.
The seized items are expected to form part of the evidence in the criminal proceedings against the four arrested individuals, subject to proper documentation, laboratory examination and other procedures required under law.
Following their arrest, the four suspects were placed under the custody of the PDEA-BARMM Jail Facility.
PDEA-BARMM said appropriate charges are now being prepared for filing before the court for alleged violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12 of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The provisions cover various drug-related offenses, including the illegal sale and possession of dangerous drugs, maintenance of a drug den, possession of drug paraphernalia and other prohibited activities under the law.
The operation underscores the continuing anti-drug campaign of PDEA-BARMM and its law enforcement partners in the Bangsamoro region, particularly against locations allegedly being used as venues for the distribution and use of illegal drugs.
The identities of the arrested individuals were withheld in full and were identified only through their aliases in the initial information released by authorities. The allegations against them remain subject to court proceedings, where they will have the opportunity to contest the charges.