Authorities in Cotabato City scored a significant victory in the war against illegal drugs after a successful operation led to the dismantling of a drug den and the arrest of four individuals.
Major Drug Den Dismantled in Rosario Heights
Joint operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM), with support from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-6 and various police units, conducted a buy-bust operation on Wednesday, December 3. The target was a drug den located along Malagapas Road in Barangay Rosario Heights 10.
Suspects Apprehended and Evidence Seized
The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspects, identified by their aliases. Bads, 45, was tagged as the maintainer of the illicit drug den. His alleged cohorts were named as Joseph, 22; Junjun, 27; and Budoy, 31.
During the raid, lawmen confiscated a substantial amount of suspected shabu. The evidence included approximately 22 grams of the illegal substance, which were packed in 19 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets. The estimated street value of the confiscated drugs is P149,600.
In addition to the narcotics, operatives seized various drug paraphernalia, two mobile phones, one identification card, and the marked money used in the undercover transaction.
Legal Proceedings Underway
All four arrested suspects are currently detained at the PDEA-BARMM Jail Facility. They are awaiting inquest proceedings for alleged violations of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
This operation underscores the continued and collaborative efforts of Philippine law enforcement agencies to combat the drug trade and dismantle its distribution networks within communities.
