PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has ordered a probe on two cops who withheld 42 kilos of the 990 kilos of shabu that were seized by the police in Manila earlier this month.
A report from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group said two policemen from DEG reportedly withheld the 42 kilos from the drug haul. The two were not identified.
An initial report said the 42 kilos, which have been returned to the PNP, were for an asset who helped in the operation.
“Our investigation into that is ongoing. As we have said, all involved will be investigated,” Azurin told a press conference at the PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame.
“All that should be covered by the investigation will be covered by the investigation to end the issue about recycling,” Azurin said.
Azurin said he had asked PNP personnel to stop recycling illegal drugs, saying this is putting the force in a bad light.
“I encourage all policemen to stop this practice (of drug recycling) because it does not give the organization a good image,” he said.
The 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion were seized at a lending company in Manila last October 8. A PDEG policeman, Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr., who owns the company, was arrested with two kilos of shabu during a follow-up operation.
PDEG said the illegal activity of the two policemen was caught on closed-circuit television.
One of the policemen admitted they took 30 kilos of shabu from the drug haul. He said the shabu was to be given as a reward to an informant who helped in the successful operation.
It turned out the withheld drugs weighed 42 kilos. Placed in two pieces of luggage, they were surrendered last October 15 along Boni Serrano Ave. in San Juan City.
Azurin also said the PNP is also looking into the possible involvement of two police generals, who are said to be former superior officers of Mayo.
“They are on floating status. But this is unfair to them because their names are being dragged into this although there are no sufficient pieces of evidence so far,” said Azurin. — With Christian Oineza
