COTABATO CITY (October 12, 2025) — Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12 shutdown a clandestine drug den and arrested three shabu peddlers in two separate operations within four days.
Benjamin Recites III, director of PDEA-12, said on Sunday, October 12, that their agents entrapped last Friday, October 10, two shabu dealers together facilitating pot sessions in their drug den in Barangay Rizal in Banga, South Cotabato.
Recites said the two male suspects were immediately detained by PDEA-12 agents after selling to them P108,000 worth of shabu right in their drug den in Purok Pag-asa in Barangay Rizal during an entrapment operation assisted by the office of Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr, chairman of the multi-sector South Cotabato Provincial Peace and Order Council.
Recites said barangay leaders and municipal officials in Banga also helped their agents entrap the duo, long known for their drug den operation in the municipality.
Their drug den is now guarded by barangay officials in Banga and volunteer community watchmen helping the police maintain law and order in the municipality, according to Recites and officials of the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office.
Recites said the two suspects were arrested three days after PDEA-12 agents confiscated ₱74,800 worth of shabu from a trafficker during a tradeoff on Tuesday, October 7, in Purok Malipayon in Barangay Labangal in General Santos City.
City officials said the suspect peddled shabu near school campuses and in barangays in nearby Glan and Malungon towns in Sarangani province.
Recites said their latest entrapment operations in South Cotabato and in General Santos City were supported by units under Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, director of the Police Regional Office-12.
Photo shows the two drug den operators who fell in an anti-narcotics sting last Friday by PDEA-12 personnel, now awaiting prosecution for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.