PNP starts probe into drug recycling after arrest of 3 PDEA agents in Taguig
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be conducting a thorough investigation into the involvement of some members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the recycling of confiscated illegal drugs following the arrest of the head of its office and two other agents in a raid in Taguig City.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they are now coordinating with the PDEA leadership under Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo for the expansion of the investigation that would include other people in the probe.
"We will look into the possibility that there are other persons other than (Enrique) Lucero who are involved in the recycling of illegal drugs. Remember that it was not only Lucero who was arrested, also included were two other agents and the driver," said Fajardo.
"So this was how bold their illegal activities are. Can you imagine, the illegal drugs are being sold right in their office," she added.
It was Lazo who gave a go-signal for the conduct of operation of the police into the PDEA office in Taguig City on Dec. 6 based on the confirmed intelligence reports about the alleged selling of illegal drugs right at the PDEA Southern District Office.
Aside from Lucero who heads the Southern Office, also collared were PDEA agents Anthony Vic Alabastro and Jaireh Llaguno, and driver Mark Warren Mallo.
Seized from them were illegal drugs with a street value of almost P9.2 million.
Fajardo said it is too early to speculate if there are other PDEA agents involved but she said this will be focused on by the investigation.
The cases against the PDEA agents were already filed.