KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) dismantled a suspected drug den and arrested four individuals during the implementation of a search warrant in Kidapawan City, Cotabato, on Tuesday morning, October 6, 2026.
The operation was conducted at approximately 11:50 a.m. at Prk. Ponkana, Madrid Subdivision, Barangay Poblacion, by the PDEA Regional Office 12 (PDEA RO12), through its Cotabato Provincial Office, with assistance from the Kidapawan City Police Station and the Cotabato Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit.
Authorities identified the four arrested individuals by their aliases: “Jack,” who was identified as the alleged maintainer of the drug den; “Abon” and “Jay,” who were identified as visitors to the suspected drug den; and “Wendy,” who was identified as an employee of the establishment.
The operation resulted in the confiscation of nine heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu. The seized substance has an estimated standard drug value of ₱81,600.
Authorities also recovered assorted drug paraphernalia during the operation, according to the information provided by PDEA RO12.
The four arrested individuals are expected to face charges for alleged violations of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The specific charges and the subsequent legal proceedings will be subject to the evidence gathered and the applicable legal process.
The dismantling of the suspected drug den forms part of the continuing efforts of PDEA RO12 and its law enforcement partners to disrupt local drug distribution networks and prevent illegal drug activities from affecting communities in Kidapawan City and other parts of the region.
The operation also highlights the role of coordinated enforcement efforts among anti-drug authorities and local police in identifying and dismantling locations allegedly used for illegal drug-related activities.
The arrested individuals remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty by a competent court.