Cop nabbed while sniffing ‘shabu’ in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines—A police assigned at the Mimaropa region and another man were caught in the act of sniffing a suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” inside a house in Quezon City Thursday evening, police said.

Police Officer 2 Mark Erickson Cañete, 35, of the Regional Public Safety Battalion of Region 4B; and Archival Arguelles, 34, were arrested after they were seen using shabu inside a shanty at the Hilcrest Compound, Barangay (village) Immaculate Concepcion around 6:10 p.m., said case investigator Police Officer 2 Warlito Cagurungan.

“Authorities were conducting anti-illegal gambling surveillance in the area when someone informed them of an ongoing pot session,” Cagurungan of Camp Karingal’s District Anti-Illegal Drugs said.

Cañete said he was in Metro Manila to work on their unit logo at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City. Both suspects tested positive for drugs.
Two sachets of shabu were recovered from the suspects, along with shabu paraphernalia like four rolled aluminum foils and a lighter.

Chief Superintendent Artemio Hicban, Mimaropa police regional director, said further investigation was ongoing to determine the veracity of the allegation, which could result to Cañete’s dismissal from the police service.