Three men were arrested after police dismantled an alleged drug den during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sarmiento, also known as Landasan, in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, on the evening of September 30, 2026.
The anti-drug operation was carried out at about 6:35 p.m. in Purok 1, Barangay Sarmiento, under the leadership of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit BAR, with support from the Parang Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Unit-BAR, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-BAR, and the 1401st Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-A.
Police identified the arrested men through the aliases “David,” 48, a construction worker; “John,” 40, reportedly unemployed; and “Joel,” 18, also unemployed. The three were reported to be residents of Parang, with the 18-year-old identified as a resident of Barangay Polloc, while the two older suspects were reported to be from Barangay Sarmiento.
Authorities said the three were arrested during the implementation of a buy-bust operation targeting the alleged drug-den activity.
Recovered during the operation were approximately 23 grams of suspected shabu, consisting of one medium-sized sachet and eight smaller sachets, with an estimated street value of ₱156,400. Police also seized boodle money, aluminum foil, a lighter, scissors, and other items allegedly associated with the suspected illegal-drug activity.
Following the arrests, authorities, with the assistance of members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT), immediately dismantled the alleged drug den to prevent the site from being used again for illegal activities.
The operation was led by PLT. Jhonathan C. Tayag under the direct supervision of PLTCOL. Mina B. Agbisit, Acting Commander of DEG Special Operations Unit 15/BAR. The Parang MPS, headed by PMAJ. Albert M. Carbungco, Chief of Police, also provided operational support.
The confiscated suspected illegal drugs will undergo laboratory examination as part of the investigation and evidence-processing procedures. The arrested individuals were brought to the Parang MPS for documentation and appropriate disposition before being turned over to the PNP Drug Enforcement Group for further proceedings.
Authorities said the suspects are expected to face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, subject to the appropriate legal proceedings.
The arrests form part of continuing law-enforcement operations against the distribution and use of illegal drugs in communities across Maguindanao del Norte.