As the anti-drug campaign by the Philippine government persists, this study investigates the challenges encountered by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives during their operational phases. It assesses the impact of these challenges on their efficiency and effectiveness in combating illegal drugs in the Philippines. with 115 PDEA operatives participating as respondents, of whom 5 were purposefully selected for interviews. Furthermore, it revealed the difficulties faced by operatives in the pre-operation, actual operation, and post-operation stages. The study’s significance lies in shedding light on critical aspects of drug enforcement efforts, contributing to informed policy decisions and operational improvements.