ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines — Four individuals, including three students, were arrested as authorities dismantled a drug den during an anti-drug operation in Ipil, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced Friday, July 18, 2025.
The suspects, identified only by their aliases — Gabriel (21), Mycho (21), Jherime (18), and Mark (20) — were apprehended in Purok Young Dreamers, Taway village, around 12:05 p.m. on July 17. The first three are students, while Mark works as a mechanic.
Armed with a court-issued search warrant, operatives from PDEA-Zamboanga Sibugay, along with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Ipil Municipal Police, and the Army’s 106th Infantry Battalion, raided the property suspected to be used as a drug den.
Authorities seized approximately 15 grams of suspected shabu, packaged in nine heat-sealed sachets and valued at P102,000, along with various drug paraphernalia.
The suspects will be facing multiple charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, specifically:
Section 6: Maintenance of a Drug Den
Section 7: Employees and Visitors of a Drug Den
Section 11: Possession of Dangerous Drugs
Section 12: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
PDEA emphasized that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal drug activity and dismantle drug networks in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
