Five individuals, including a suspected drug den operator, were arrested in a joint operation by law enforcement agencies in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, on January 22, 2025. Authorities successfully shut down a drug den and seized significant amounts of suspected illegal drugs.
The operation, which took place around 4:20 p.m. in Purok Lower, Sitio Goma, Barangay Zone 4, was conducted by the Davao del Sur Provincial Office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of Davao Sur Police Provincial Office, and the Sta. Cruz Municipal Police Station.
The primary target, identified as Dan-Dan, 24, was arrested after allegedly selling a plastic sachet containing one gram of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” valued at around P8,000. The arrest was part of a successful buy-bust operation.
Also taken into custody were four others: Jupiter, Jacob, Kenji, and Allan, who was identified as an employee of the drug den. During the operation, authorities confiscated four additional heat-sealed sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing about 16 grams, with an estimated value of P128,000. In addition, drug paraphernalia and buy-bust marked money were seized.
The suspects now face charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation and building cases against the individuals involved in the illegal drug activities.
