Calabarzon top cop orders probe on police ties with drug syndicates
INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
LUCENA CITY – The top police official in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region has ordered a deeper investigation into the extent of police involvement in the illegal drug trade after three cops in Dasmariñas City, Cavite were caught with P1.4 million worth of shabu (crystal meth) on Feb. 1.
Police Brigadier General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., commander of Police Region 4A, said he has directed Cavite police provincial director to immediately conduct a follow-up operation and thorough investigation “to unmask this drug group which involves the active police officers.”
“I will never let them drag the image of the organization,” Nartatez said in a report issued by the PRO-4A information office on Friday afternoon (Feb. 3).
He added: “This illegal act undermines our efforts to combat the drug problem in the country. Such actions are reprehensible and those involved must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
On Feb. 2, Police Colonel Christopher Olazo, Cavite police chief, conducted a surprise drug test on all cops in the province. The test results have yet to be released by the Cavite police headquarters.
Article continues after this advertisementAnti-illegal drugs operatives nabbed Corporal Christian Arjul Monteverde, Staff Sergeant Tomas Dela Rea Jr., Patrolman Jeru Set, all assigned to Dasmariñas police drug enforcement unit, and civilian Jorilyn Ambrad in a buy-bust operation in the city on Wednesday (Feb. 1). The suspects were allegedly responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs in Dasmariñas and nearby municipalities.
Article continues after this advertisementThe group yielded 210 grams of meth with a street value of P1,431,600.
Authorities classified the three cops as “HVI” or high-value individuals in the local drug scene.
The detained suspects will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165 for possessing and selling dangerous drugs.
