SAF trooper sacked for drug use

MANILA, Philippines — A Special Action Force (SAF) commando has been relieved from his post after testing positive for drug use.

The police officer, with the rank of patrolman, was among the 93 SAF commandos who underwent random drug test last week, SAF director Brig. Gen. Mark Pespes said yesterday

The policeman also tested positive for drug use based on the confirmatory tests this week.

Pespes did not identify the SAF trooper, who was assigned in Southern Luzon.

The policeman is also facing administrative cases and could be dismissed from the service as drug use among members of the police force is a grave offense.

Meanwhile, in Benguet, cannabis stalks with an estimated value of P3.5 million were found abandoned by the roadside yesterday.

Lt. Col. Benson Macliing, La Trinidad police chief, said police officers patrolling the area found two sacks, which contained the illegal drugs, along the Shilan-Lamut Road.   

In Pampanga, two kilos of high-grade marijuana or ”kush” and 156 cannabis-infused vapes valued at P3.9 million were confiscated at the Port of Clark on Wednesday. 

Erastus Sandino Austria, Bureau of Customs (BOC)  Port of Clark district collector, said the illegal drugs were found in a parcel declared as “accessories” that arrived from California on May 25.

Austria said physical examination, which was conducted after an unusual X-ray image, showed that the parcel contained dried leaves and fruiting tops suspected to be high-grade marijuana and assorted disposable vape cartridges.

Laboratory analysis by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency confirmed the presence of marijuana.

The BOC issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.