Razon issues rules on cop drug busts

Acting on several complaints of alleged "shakedowns" by some policemen of suspected drug offenders, Western Police District (WPD) director Chief Superintendent Avelino Razon Jr. has issued guidelines on the conduct of narcotics operations.

Razon said the guidelines, prescribed pursuant to the memorandum circular of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO), are aimed to prevent unauthorized arrests by misguided police operatives. The guidelines will also establish an airtight case against suspected drug users and dealers before the courts, Razon added.

Foremost of the 19 rules disseminated to all police operating units is the exclusive function of the District Anti Narcotics Unit (DANU) and Station Anti-Narcotics Team (SANT) to conduct anti-drug operations. Other personnel who may happen to make arrests or seize illegal drugs in the process shall immediately refer the case to DANU or to SANT.

Seized or confiscated illegal drugs shall be submitted to the crime laboratory for appropriate examination within four hours from seizure, while firearms, vehicles, cash, drug paraphernalia, and other non-narcotic items shall be turned-in to the evidence custodian for safekeeping. No operative is allowed to keep confiscated evidence, particularly drugs.

Any person apprehended or arrested for violation of the anti-drugs law shall immediately, upon arrest, be subjected to laboratory examination to determine if he is under the influence of drugs. If found negative, the suspect shall be immediately released, unless there is other evidence indicative such a violation.

While serving search warrants, personnel must have themselves, including their vehicles, searched or inspected by witnesses, preferably barangay chairmen, prior to the actual search to preclude suspicion that operatives may "plant" evidence.

All anti-narcotics operations such as buy-bust, raids, searches and seizures shall be covered by duly-approved pre-operations report.

To prevent misunderstanding, all anti-drug operations shall be coordinated with the local or territorial police unit which has jurisdiction over the area of operation. Similarly, the barangay chairman or his representative must be informed of the operation to be undertaken.