Photo from PDEA
MANILA, Philippines — An officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) yielded more than P3 million worth of crystal meth or shabu after being arrested in a buy-bust operation in Caloocan City, the anti-drug agency said on Friday.
The police officer was identified as Police Corporal Mark Jefferson Lopez, 30, who was arrested on Thursday night in front of Puregold Zabarte cor. Zabarte Road and Camarin Road in Barangay Camarin, Caloocan City, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
Aside from the police personnel, John Raster Jaie Muñoz, 30, a mechanic, was also arrested.
Seized from them were 500 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P3.4 million pesos and one PNP-issued firearm, Glock 17 with PNP Serial No. 2102, a pistol magazine, 19 pieces of 9mm live ammunition, as well as a PNP identification card.
The suspects are currently under the custody of PDEA and would face charges in violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Lopez was assigned to Substation 13, Caloocan City Police Station, according to the Northern Police District (NPD).
NPD District Director Police Brig. Gen. Ulysses Cruz ordered the administrative relief of the Substation 13 commander, assistant commander, shift supervisor, and team members of the suspect.
“All of them were disarmed of their service firearm and placed under Camp Restriction pending the in-depth investigation which covers PCpl Lopez’s current and previous designation,” Cruz said in a statement.
Cruz also stressed: “We do not condone the wrongdoings and irregularities of our erring personnel. I will assure the public that they will feel and face the full force of the law.”
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