DINAGAT ISLANDS, Philippines — A suspected drug den was dismantled and four individuals were arrested during a joint buy-bust operation in Barangay Valencia, Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands, on September 16, 2026, resulting in the seizure of approximately 8.16 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P55,488.00.
The operation was conducted through the coordinated efforts of the PDEA Regional Office XIII–Dinagat Islands Provincial Office, PDEA Regional Office XIII–Agusan del Norte Provincial Office, Cagdianao Municipal Police Station, Cagdianao Police Intelligence Unit, and the PDEA Regional Office XIII–Legal and Prosecution Unit.
Authorities identified the four arrested individuals as a 44-year-old married man, allegedly involved in the maintenance of the drug den; a 43-year-old married woman, identified as an alleged employee of the drug den; and two male visitors, aged 42 and 34, respectively. All four are residents of Barangay Valencia, Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands.
During the operation, authorities recovered three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing approximately 0.3 gram of suspected shabu, which allegedly served as the subject of the drug transaction during the buy-bust operation.
Two additional sachets containing approximately eight grams of suspected shabu were also recovered from the arrested individuals.
Other items seized included disposable lighters, aluminum foil bearing suspected drug traces, an identification card, the buy-bust money, and an Android mobile phone.
The four suspects are facing complaints for alleged violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12 of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended by Republic Act No. 10640.
The complaints include the alleged sale of dangerous drugs under Section 5, as well as offenses involving the operation or maintenance of a drug den, illegal possession of dangerous drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia, as applicable under the law.
PDEA Regional Director Laurefel P. Gabales expressed appreciation to the concerned local government units, witnesses and community members whose cooperation and information contributed to the operation.
Gabales emphasized that authorities will continue to pursue illegal drug activities through coordinated law-enforcement and community efforts.
“Our campaign against illegal drugs will not stop. The government will continue to work with law enforcement agencies, local governments, and our communities to ensure the safety and protection of our people from the drug menace,” Gabales said.
The PDEA official also clarified that the discovery of an illegal drug activity in a community previously declared drug-cleared does not automatically invalidate that status.
According to Gabales, the status may remain particularly when the concerned local government unit had no participation or contribution to the illegal activity and immediately undertakes appropriate measures in coordination with law-enforcement authorities.
The latest operation underscores the continuing role of joint intelligence, enforcement operations and community cooperation in identifying and dismantling suspected illegal drug activities in local communities.