MONTEVISTA, Davao de Oro — Authorities successfully dismantled a suspected drug den in a late-night buy-bust operation on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, leading to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of illegal drugs and a firearm.
Joint operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XI (PDEA-RO XI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) carried out the operation at around 10:32 p.m. in Purok 2A, Barangay Poblacion.
Arrested during the operation was a 36-year-old man identified only as alias “Louie,” tagged as the alleged maintainer of the drug den. He was apprehended after selling a sachet of suspected shabu worth ₱8,000 to an undercover agent, triggering his immediate arrest.
Also taken into custody were alias “Princess,” reportedly Louie’s live-in partner and an alleged employee of the drug den, and alias “Gaw,” who was identified as a visitor at the time of the raid.
Authorities said the operation turned tense when alias “Gaw” allegedly resisted arrest and drew a .38 caliber revolver. In response, operatives neutralized the threat, shooting him in the left leg. He was immediately brought to Montevista District Hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.
Seized from the scene were approximately 17 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱136,000, along with four additional sachets of the illegal substance. Authorities also recovered a .38 caliber revolver loaded with live ammunition, assorted drug paraphernalia, and the marked money used in the buy-bust transaction.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, will be filed against the suspects.
Alias “Princess” is currently detained, while alias “Gaw” remains under police guard at the hospital as he recovers from his injury.
The successful operation underscores intensified anti-drug efforts in Davao de Oro, as authorities continue to crack down on illegal drug activities and dismantle networks operating at the community level.