CARMEN, DAVAO DEL NORTE — Authorities arrested four individuals and dismantled an alleged drug den during an early morning buy-bust operation in Barangay Tubod, Carmen, Davao del Norte, on October 31, 2026.
The operation was carried out at around 4:48 a.m. in Purok 5C, Bagong Silang, Barangay Tubod by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 11 (PDEA RO11), through the Davao del Norte Provincial Office, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard Southeastern Mindanao and the Carmen Municipal Police Station.
Authorities identified the alleged drug den maintainer as alias “Zaldi,” 52, who was the primary target of the operation.
According to the initial report, Zaldi was arrested after allegedly handing over one sachet of suspected shabu weighing approximately one gram, with an estimated standard market value of ₱6,800, to a PDEA operative acting as a poseur-buyer.
Also arrested were alias “Jec-Jec,” who was identified by authorities as an alleged employee of the drug den, and two alleged visitors identified as alias “Alan” and alias “Jay-Ar.”
During the operation, authorities said they recovered a total of four sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated combined weight of 21 grams and an estimated street value of ₱142,800.
Operatives also confiscated assorted alleged drug paraphernalia and the marked money used in the buy-bust operation.
The arrests came as law enforcement agencies continued joint operations against suspected illegal drug activities in communities across Davao Region. The alleged existence of a drug den in a residential community also underscores continuing concerns over the use of organized locations for the distribution and consumption of illegal drugs.
The arrested individuals are expected to face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Authorities have yet to release additional details regarding the possible extent of the alleged drug operation, including whether the arrested individuals are linked to a wider illegal drug network.
The suspects remain subject to the legal process, and the allegations against them will be determined by the courts.