KIDAPAWAN CITY, COTABATO — Authorities recovered suspected shabu with a combined estimated value of ₱156,400 and arrested six individuals in separate anti-illegal drug operations conducted in Kidapawan City on September 16 and 17, 2026.
The operations, carried out by the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in coordination with other law enforcement units, targeted suspected drug personalities and resulted in the recovery of a total of 25 sachets of suspected shabu, based on the information released by authorities.
The first operation was conducted at about 5:55 a.m. on September 16 in Barangay Poblacion, Kidapawan City, where personnel of the Kidapawan City Police Station, in coordination with the 1st Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st CPMFC) and PDEA Region 12, implemented a search warrant for alleged violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The warrant targeted alias “Jetser,” a 28-year-old farmer and resident of Barangay Poblacion who had been identified by authorities as a high-value individual allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
During the search, authorities recovered one large, one medium and four small heat-sealed sachets containing suspected shabu. The total suspected drug weight was placed at approximately 11 grams, with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) value of ₱74,800.
Authorities said the seized items were marked at the place of operation in the presence of the suspect’s uncle, a media representative and an elected barangay official.
The evidence is set to be submitted to the Provincial Forensic Unit in Kidapawan City for qualitative and quantitative examination, subject to court presentation.
However, the person named in the search warrant was not present when the warrant was implemented and remained at large following the operation. Authorities said follow-up efforts were being conducted to locate and apprehend him.
Six Arrested in Drug Den Operation
The following day, September 17, PDEA Region 12, through its Cotabato Provincial Office, conducted another operation in Kidapawan City that resulted in the dismantling of an alleged drug den and the arrest of six individuals.
The operation was carried out at approximately 3:17 p.m. in 2nd Block, Oliveros Subdivision, Purok Dragon Fruit, Barangay Poblacion, Kidapawan City, through the implementation of another search warrant.
PDEA personnel conducted the operation in coordination with the Kidapawan City Police Office and the Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit.
Among those arrested were alleged drug den maintainers identified by authorities as alias “Efren,” 38, and alias “Soy-Soy,” 28.
Also arrested was alias “Ope,” 19, who was identified as an alleged employee of the drug den.
Three other individuals who were reportedly inside the premises as visitors were also arrested. They were identified as alias “Coy,” 20; alias “Preser,” 48; and alias “Brayan,” 22.
Authorities recovered 14 small heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu during the operation. The seized suspected illegal drugs were given an estimated standard value of ₱81,600.
Assorted drug paraphernalia were also recovered from the alleged drug den.
The six arrested individuals are expected to face charges for alleged violations of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, subject to the filing of appropriate cases and the determination of probable cause by the proper authorities.
₱156,400 in Suspected Shabu Recovered
Taken together, the two operations resulted in the recovery of suspected shabu with a combined estimated value of ₱156,400—₱74,800 from the September 16 search and ₱81,600 from the September 17 drug den operation.
The operations also illustrate the continuing use of search warrants, intelligence-driven police work and inter-agency coordination in targeting suspected drug personalities and locations allegedly being used for the distribution or use of illegal drugs in Kidapawan City.
Authorities said the dismantling of the alleged drug den disrupted suspected illegal drug activity in the community and underscored continuing law enforcement efforts against the illegal drug trade in Cotabato Province and Region 12.
The suspected drugs recovered in the operations remain subject to laboratory examination to determine their actual composition and weight.
All individuals arrested or named in connection with the operations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.