2 cops among 45 nabbed in Marawi drug bust

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – Two policemen were arrested and questioned along with 43 other people during a raid Friday on a suspected narcotics den in Marawi City, a military officer said Saturday.

Colonel Daniel Lucero, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said soldiers from his command joined operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in raiding an area of Barangay (village) Lumber around 1 p.m.

Lucero will not identify the policemen but added that three firearms and some 200 sachets of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) were also seized during the raid.

Charges were being prepared against some suspected drug dealers, he said.

“Eighty units of video karera machines were also hauled off during the operation,” he said.

Lucero said the raid was decided upon following a tip that illegal drugs were being openly sold in the area.

He said based on the informant, some politicians were also involved in the drugs trade, but he quickly added that “this report is subject for further investigation.”