TANDAG CITY (MindaNews / 14 January) – A former member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) whose identity was being withheld was arrested after shabu worth at least P200,000 was allegedly found in his possession during an anti-illegal drugs operation Tuesday in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur.
Alias Ben, 33, classified as a high-value target, was arrested by the Surigao del Sur Police Drug Enforcement Unit (SDS PDEU) in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Marihatag Municipal Police Station.
The suspect, a resident of Cortes, Surigao del Sur, was arrested past 1 a.m. in Purok Langoyon, Barangay Poblacion, Marihatag, following a buy-bust operation.
Major Magdalino G. Pimentel Jr., chief of SDS PDEU, said the operatives recovered five heat-sealed plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, weighing around 30 grams and valued at P204,000.
One sachet was allegedly sold to an undercover operative during the transaction, while four others were found in the suspect’s possession. Also seized were the buy-bust money, 11 counterfeit P1,000 bills, a black Nokia keypad cellular phone, a PNP identification card, a wallet, and a coin pouch.
Colonel Jeffrey Lawrence D. Mauricio, Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Director confirmed that the suspect is a former policeman who went absent without leave (AWOL) and was listed as a drug pusher and high-value individual by the police and PDEA.
Mauricio strongly condemned the involvement of a former police officer in illegal drugs.
“Being AWOL and involved in illegal drugs is a clear betrayal of public trust. There is no room in our ranks and in the province of Surigao del Sur for those who use their former position to destroy the lives of others,” he said.
“No one is above the law, whether civilian or former police officer. The law will be enforced without bias,” he added.
Pimentel assured the public that the operation strictly complied with PNP and PDEA procedures, particularly in the handling of seized evidence.
“All confiscated items were immediately marked at the place of arrest, in the presence of the suspect, to preserve their identity and evidentiary value,” he said.
He said the operation was intelligence-driven and carried out under an approved pre-operation report based on a Target Intelligence Packet from the Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the 30 grams of suspected shabu goes beyond street-level possession and is consistent with high-value drug trafficking activities.
The suspect tested positive for illegal drugs, and the seized substance was also confirmed to be shabu based on results released by the Provincial Forensic Unit.
The suspect and confiscated items were brought to the Marihatag Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition. Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared, with the suspect set for inquest on January 14. (Queenie Casio/MindaNews)
