‘Drug user’ swallowed sachets of shabu to evade arrest, but …

Packets of shabu (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO / PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE FILES)

COTABATO CITY — A suspected drug dependent in Surallah, South Cotabato, tried to outsmart police officers by swallowing two small plastic sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu on Monday afternoon.

When lawmen arrived in his home due to complaints of domestic disturbance, Edward Mallo, 39, of Barangay Dajay in Surallah, quickly swallowed two sachets in an attempt to deny he was into illegal drugs, Chief Inspector Joel Fuerte said.

Fuerte, Surallah’s police chief, said Mallo forgot he had three other sachets in his pocket that the police eventually recovered.

Fuerte said before the police came, Mallo’s siblings had sought police  assistance after the suspect threatened his brothers and sisters with a knife.

He was under the influence of liquor when he threatened to harm anyone who would cross his path.

In jest, Fuerte said if Mallo had the luxury of time, he would have swallowed all the five sachets of shabu.

Fuerte said more than 2,000 drug personalities in the town have voluntarily showed up to the police office since July last year but many have returned to illegal drug activities.  SFM