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8 truck drivers arrested for testing positive for illegal drugs after surprise anti-overloading inspection

Philippines | National

8 truck drivers arrested for testing positive for illegal drugs after surprise anti-overloading inspection

By Alexandria Dennise San Juan

Eight truck drivers were arrested on Thursday after they tested positive for illegal drugs during a series of surprise anti-overloading operations in parts of Metro Manila and Bulacan, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said.

(Unsplash)

In a memo released on Friday, LTO Law Enforcement Service Acting Director Atty. Clarence Guinto said eight out of the 103 truck drivers who underwent drug testing resulted positive for "shabu" and were already turned over to the local police.

The joint crackdown against erring truck drivers was conducted by the LTO with the Department of Public Works and Highways, Anti-Truck Overloading Mobile Enforcement (ATOME), PNP Crime Laboratory Service, and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation.

According to Guinto, 327 personnel from these agencies were deployed near Karuhatan and Bocaue Exits in NLEX, and Lacson Avenue in Manila from 7 p.m. to 12 midnight on Thursday.

Based on the data shared by the LTO, over 50 percent of the 325 trucks that were flagged down or at least 178 failed the ATOME as they exceeded their carrying capacity, while only 45 percent, or 147 passed.

LTO said a show cause order will be issued to operators of the drivers who failed the ATOME to explain why their franchise or registration should not be revoked for "failure to exercise due diligence in the selection of their drivers."

A show cause order will also be issued against the operators of the drivers who tested positive for illegal drugs, the agency added.

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