Policemen inspect the sachets of suspected shabu and firearms allegedly recovered from Staff Sergeant Chris Mateos, who was arrested by joint police units in a buy-bust operation in Makati City on April 5, 2019. PHOTO from Makati City Police
MANILA, Philippines — A policeman was arrested by the anti-scalawag unit and other teams of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Makati City on Friday for allegedly yielding P30,000 worth of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) and for illegal possession of firearms.
Police identified the suspect as Staff Sergeant Chris Mateos, who was arrested by joint elements of the PNP Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF), Intelligence Group, and the Station Drug Enforcement Unit of the Makati City police.
Police said Mateos, who is assigned at the Calabarzon Regional Police Security and Protection Unit, allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu to a poseur buyer from the CITF in a buy-bust operation at around 10:20 a.m.
A few minutes after the arrest, police also implemented a search warrant against the suspect for illegal possession of firearms. Allegedly recovered from him were a 9mm pistol and 43 bullets, a Glock 17, two airgun rifles, three more sachets of suspected “shabu” and assorted drug paraphernalia.
Police said the operation stemmed from the report of a concerned citizen who tipped the policeman’s alleged illegal activities to the CITF hotline.
Mateos was brought to the CITF office in Camp Crame for further investigation and filing of administrative and criminal charges. /ee