MATI CITY, Davao Oriental — Four individuals were arrested after a joint anti-drug operation led to the dismantling of an alleged drug den in Barangay Dahican, Mati City, early Saturday morning, September 26, 2026.
The operation was conducted at around 1:45 a.m. in Purok Charity Blue, Sitio Urban Poor, by the Davao Oriental Provincial Office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 11 (PDEA RO11), in coordination with the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office (DOPPO) and the Mati City Police Station.
Authorities identified the alleged drug den operator as alias “Nik,” 37, who was reportedly the primary target of the operation. Also arrested was alias “Junrey,” described as a worker at the alleged drug den, along with aliases “Jay” and “Philip,” who were identified as alleged visitors at the time of the operation.
PDEA said the operation resulted in the recovery of three sachets of suspected shabu with a combined weight of approximately 10 grams. Authorities placed the estimated street value of the seized suspected illegal drugs at about ₱68,000.
Also recovered were two improvised glass tooters containing suspected shabu residue, assorted drug paraphernalia, and the marked money used during the buy-bust operation.
According to the authorities’ account, alias “Nik” allegedly sold one sachet of suspected shabu worth approximately ₱1,000 to a PDEA poseur-buyer, triggering the arrest operation.
The arrests followed the implementation of the buy-bust operation targeting the alleged drug den and its suspected operator. The presence of alleged drug-den workers and visitors at the site also resulted in the apprehension of the three other individuals.
The four suspects are now facing possible charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, in connection with the suspected illegal drug activity.
The recovered items were reportedly taken into custody for proper documentation, inventory, and examination as part of the investigation and filing of charges.
Authorities continue to conduct follow-up investigation to determine the extent of the alleged drug den’s operations and identify other individuals who may be involved.
All four suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.