AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A vice mayor in Camarines Sur was arrested after he was allegedly caught sniffing suspected shabu inside a tourist lodge, a Philippine Drug enforcement Agency official said Thursday.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. identified the suspect as Andre Hidalgo, 60, the incumbent vice mayor of Milaor, Camarines Sur.
Hidalgo was arrested in an entrapment operation on Wednesday around 7:15 p.m. at a room of a tourist inn in Balatas, Naga City. He was caught in the act of using drugs.
Confiscated from Hidalgo were a transparent sachet containing shabu, one opened sachet with shabu residue and several drug paraphernalia.
Cases for violation of Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia) and possibly Section 15 (Use of Dangerous Drugs), if he is found positive for use of illegal drug after a confirmatory test, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared for filing in court against the vice mayor. He is presently under the custody of PDEA RO5 Camarines Sur Provincial Office.
Related stories
In Palayan summit, PDEA says PH drug woes worsen
PDEA can now apply for search warrants, says SC
Drug trader gets life sentence