A Caloocan City policeman was arrested by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) after yielding about 500 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P3.4 million, authorities said yesterday.
The PDEA National Capital Region office identified the cop who was nabbed Thursday as P/Cpl. Mark Jefferson Lopez, 30 years old.
The policeman was with one John Raster Jaie Muñoz during the drug sting conducted in front of Puregold Zabarte along Camarin Road in Barangay 172, Caloocan City.
Muñoz, 25, was also arrested.
Seized from Lopez were his Glock 17 service pistol with magazine and 19 9mm rounds, his Philippine National Police identification card, and two smartphones.
Three plastic bags containing suspected shabu, a cal. 45 pistol and the bundle of boodle money used by the PDEA agents in transacting with the two suspects were also retrieved.
Lopez and Muñoz, 25, are facing charges of violating Sections 5 and 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
In reaction to Lopez’s arrest, Northern Police District chief P/Brig. Gen. Ulysses Cruz ordered the administrative relief of the Caloocan substation 13 commander, assistant commander, shift supervisor and fellow team members of Lopez.
Said police officers were disarmed of their service firearms and placed under camp restriction pending an in-depth investigation.
Cherk Balagtas