Locate the Dead Drop Inside the Courtyard: Step by Step Guide

Navigating the complex map in ARC Raiders often presents players with challenging quest objectives that require precise environmental navigation. One common obstacle during the Digging Up Dirt mission is pinpointing the secret container nestled within the Santa Maria Houses. This guide offers a clear strategy to help you find the objective quickly without getting turned around in hostile territory.
Reaching the Santa Maria Houses Precinct
To begin your search, deploy into the Buried City region and set your course for the southern sector near Plaza Rosa. The Santa Maria Houses are situated right beside the main town hall structures. Ground level doors across this compound are completely barricaded, making street-level entries impossible.
Because the lower floor entrances are blocked, you must elevate your perspective and focus on traversal across adjacent rooftops. Equipping a free loadout before starting this run is highly recommended so you do not risk losing valuable gear if ambushed. Keep a close ear out for patrolling enemy units as you move along the elevated ledges.
Accessing the Indoor Courtyard
Climb onto the adjoining roof structures until you spot an open skylight or attic window on the upper story. Drop down into the opening to access the interior upper level where a zipline is installed. Take the zipline down to reach the floor below and search for a breach in the interior wall.
Passing through the blown-out wall grants you access to an enclosed, sand-filled indoor area that serves as the internal courtyard. This unique space drops down into a lower room filled with debris and scattered structures. You can check out for more detailed walkthroughs on tackling challenging quest locations.
Securing the Container and Completing the Task
Once you are inside the sandy room, look directly at the center of the first floor. The dead drop appears as a small fountain-shaped container sitting amidst the dirt. Approach the container carefully while staying alert for nearby mechanical sentries or roaming hostile threats.
Interact with the central container to fulfill Celeste's quest objective immediately. Since successful extraction is not required to register your quest progress, completing this interaction secures your achievement. You can then choose to loot nearby weapon crates or make your way to an extraction point at your leisure.