Ex-cop linked to drugs, 2 nabbed by NBI in Bohol

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — A former policeman, who was dismissed from the service over his alleged involvement in illegal drugs, was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Bohol in this city on Thursday afternoon.

Lawyer Rennan Augustus Oliva, NBI-Bohol head, said Antonioli Juico Wycoco was arrested around 3 p.m., based on a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Suceso Arcamo of the Regional Trial Court Branch 47 in Tagbilaran City.

Oliva said Wycoco was under surveillance for the past weeks after the NBI received reports of his illegal drug trade in the city.

Lawyer Arcelito Albao, NBI-Bohol supervising agent, said that when Wycoco and his two companions realized it was a sting operation, they hurriedly ran outside the room being rented by Wycoco at Remolador Extension, Cogon District. But in their haste, Wycoco stumbled, fell to the ground and suffered bruises on his arm, leg and face.

His two friends — Tirso Sale, 42, a former village councilman of Tiptip, Tagbilaran City, and owner of a lending firm; and Kenneth Estoce, 44, suspected to be involved in drug pushing — were also arrested.

Wycoco was assigned at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service in Camp Crame before he was dismissed from the service in 2006.

Albao said the NBI agents recovered two big, two medium-sized and two small packs of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), and drug-sniffing paraphernalia.

Wycoco and his companions were detained at the NBI detention cell, pending filing of charges.  SFM