Surprise drug test for NarcGroup men held

In an effort to rid his command of scalawags, Director Efren Fernandez, chief of the Narcotics Group (NarcGroup) conducted over the weekend surprise drug tests among his officers and more than 1,000 uniformed and civilian personnel in Camp Crame.

Fernandez said he wanted to start fresh and the drug testing would ensure that the entire NarcGroup uniformed and civilian personnel are free of drugs.

"The best way to assure the public that we mean business in our campaign against illegal drugs is to rid our ranks of misfits and scalawags," said Fernandez.

The NarcGroup chief pointed out that once his command is declared drug-free, they could say that they had the moral ascendancy to go after bigtime drug syndicates.

In coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) crime laboratory, Fernandez ordered his officers and enlisted personnel to report for work Saturday and conducted the surprise inspection.

Fernandez and the NarcGroup officers were the first to submit themselves for drug testing. They were followed by enlisted personnel and civilian agents from the operating units like the intelligence, National Capital Region (NCR) and Special Projects.

According to Fernandez, the drug-testing would be a continuing effort to prevent officers and civilian and enlisted personnel from being addicted to shabu and other illegal drugs.

The PNP crime laboratory said the result of the initial drug testing will be out in a week’s time.

Those found positive would immediately be charged administratively pending transfer from the NarcGroup.

Fernandez said the drug testing was implemented amid accusations that NarcGroup enlisted and civilian personnel are themselves either taking drugs or under the payroll of bigtime drug syndicates.

He said they would start moving aggressively against drug syndicates without fear or favor once the scalawags are thrown out of his command. – Non Alquitran