DoJ maintains pressure on P6.7-B Manila drug raid probe

By Jomel R. Paguian

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DoJ) said on Wednesday that it is not letting up on its probe into alleged anomalies in one of the country’s biggest drug raids ever, which exposed the involvement of a police official and the subsequent pilfering of volumes of the drug haul by several officers.

The drug bust in Tondo, Manila on Oct. 8, 2022, yielded 990 kilos of crystal meth or shabu worth P6.7 billion. The drugs were discovered at the lending firm owned by an anti-narcotics officer who is now dismissed from the service.

During the raid, 49 policemen allegedly looted 42 kilos of the controlled substance.

The DoJ said it had formed a panel of prosecutors to evaluate the case, ensuring all necessary elements for the charges are present. A “voluminous” amount of evidence submitted before the panel is said to be currently under “detailed examination.”

“Once the evaluation of the complaint and evidence is thoroughly completed, the panel will immediately initiate the preliminary investigation of the additional complaint,” the DoJ said in a statement. “This process is critical to ascertain the facts and to hold accountable those who may have violated the law.”

The justice department added that it is working with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in investigating the controversy concerning some of its officers, citing that a conference was convened this month to discuss developments in the said case.

DoJ said: “This new development indicates a continuing commitment by both the PNP and DoJ to ensure integrity and thoroughness in the fight against illegal drug trafficking.”

The dangerous drugs committee of the House of Representatives last month recommended the indictment of the dismissed police general and his sergeant for the alleged coverup of the drug bust operation.

The committee, in its report, stated that the 990 kilos of crystal meth seized during the bust was a product of “drug recycling,” as it was the same drugs illegally taken from previous anti-drug operations of the PNP.