CIDG cop, 3 others nabbed in drug bust

A policeman assigned at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and three suspected drug pushers were arrested yesterday in an intensified anti-narcotics campaign conducted by the Eastern Police District (EPD) in Pasig City.

The suspect, PO2 Dominador Tapec of the Mechanical Technical Support Division (MTSD) of the CIDG, was caught in the act of sniffing shabu by elements of the EPD‘s Anti-Drug and Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF) inside a shanty at 106 Villa Rosario street, Barangay Palatiw at about 3:30 a.m.

Tapec and suspected drug pushers Nardito Grutas, 57, Bernard Cruz, 37, and Rolando de Guzman, 38, were presented to the media yesterday by Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco.

"He is a disgrace to the police force. He must face the full force of the law to prevent others from following his footsteps," said Velasco, referring to the arrested officer.

Earlier, EPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Sacramento dispatched his men to go after Grutas following reports that he returned to drug dealing.

The suspect was immediately arrested after he handed over a sachet of shabu in exchange for P200 to PO1 Alvin Genove, who acted as posuer-buyer. Genove and PO1 Christopher Orig seized three more sachets which were in the pocket of the suspect’s pants.

While frisking Grutas, Orig noticed someone sniffing shabu inside the shanty prompting him to barge in and arrest Tapec.

"Subo-subo niya ang water pipe samantalang nasa kamay niya ang foil na may lamang shabu," said Orig, when asked to describe what he saw.

Tapec identified himself as an officer from the CIDG and surrendered his issued caliber .9mm automatic pistol. He, however, was unable to show supporting documents for the firearm.

Sacramento said Cruz and De Guzman were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Barangay Manggahan and Rosario, respectively. Cruz yielded five sachets of shabu while De Guzman, four sachets.

According to Sacramento, Grutas, Cruz and De Guzman were listed in their "order of battle" on target personalities involved in the sale of illegal drugs.

Tapec admitted being a drug user.

Velasco ordered the filing of illegal drug use and illegal possession of firearms against him before the Pasig City prosecutor’s office. Grutas, Cruz and De Guzman were also charged with drug pushing.

Velasco coordinated with CIDG chief Director Eduardo Matillano for the filing of an administrative case against Tapec, who along with the three drug pushers are currently detained at the Pasig City detention center.