Man arrested for accepting delivery of marijuana package

MANILA, Philippines — A Pasig resident was arrested by police officers who had been tipped off by an Angkas driver who said he was delivering to the man a package containing what he suspected to be marijuana leaves.

According to authorities, motorcycle rider Jeffrey Francisco asked for police assistance and reported to them that a package, to be delivered to 23-year-old Mikko Berino, contained suspected dried marijuana leaves.

Police arrested Berino at his house as soon as Francisco handed over the package to him. Berino lives on Amang Rodriguez Avenue in front of Gomez Village in Barangay Rosario in Pasig.

Officer seized the package — a transparent ziplock plastic sachet containing suspected marijuana leaves.

Berino will undergo inquest proceedings for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, or Republic Act No. 9165.

In 2017, the Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police trained drivers of Grab Philippines, a transport network vehicle service, on road safety and security following reports that drivers of taxi booking services had unknowingly become channels in the illegal drug trade by delivering the contraband concealed in packages.

READ: Police to train Grab drivers on road safety, security

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also issued an advisory after a suspected drug dealer from Mandaluyong was found to have hired drivers of TNVS in delivering illegal drugs camouflaged in packages right at the doorsteps of customers. /atm