Cop who failed drug test nabbed in Occidental Mindoro buy-bust

CITY OF CALAPAN – A policeman, who went on absence without leave (AWOL) after failing the drug test was arrested in a buy-bust operation in San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro late night Wednesday.

Supt. Imelda Tolentino, information officer of Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) police, identified the arrested policeman as Police Officer 3 Armando Viana Jr., 40, of San Jose town police station, and resident of Barangay (village) Bubog.

Tolentino said operatives collared Viana around 11:45 p.m. during a buy-bust operation in a subdivision located in Barangay Pag-asa.

Also arrested during the drug bust was suspected drug pusher Desiree Acong, 28, a resident of Malabon City in Metro Manila, authorities said.

Police confiscated from the suspects five pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) and drug paraphernalia.

“He (Viana) went on AWOL on April 16 after the conduct of Random Drug Test on April 13, sensing that the result will turn out to be positive. The test indeed turned (out) positive. Since then, he was the subject of an intelligence operation and case build-up for engaging in selling and using (of) illegal drugs…” Tolentino said.          /kga