Drug-peddling policeman arrested in Makati
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Fri, 05 Apr 2019 11:44:09 +0000
A police officer who allegedly runs a drug-trafficking operation in Makati City was arrested during a buy-bust operation on Friday.
Police Staff Sgt. Chris Marquez, 42, and his accomplice Dennis Tamonan, used his house in Barangay (village) East Rembo as a stash spot where he kept paraphernalia and illegal drugs such as methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
Marquez admitted that for years, he dealt drugs in the city, but his operation went downhill in August 2018, when his colleagues found information that he was involved in the illegal drug trade.
Police Maj. Gideon Ines, Makati assistant police chief for operations, said an undercover operative transacted for P5,000 worth of shabu with Tamonan, which led them to raid Marquez’s house, armed with a search warrant issued by Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150.
Marquez, assigned to the Police Security and Protection Group, and Grab driver Tamonan were high during the search, with shabu residue found on their faces and on lit aluminum foils.
“When I started using, I could not stop,” Marquez told policemen.
Police found the Marquez’s two children inside their room, clueless of what their father was doing downstairs. His wife was working abroad, he told investigating officers.
The suspect’s children were placed under the temporary custody of immediate family members.
Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office chief, confirmed that the suspect was the brother of outgoing Barangay East Rembo kagawad Ed Marquez, who is running for a seat in the city council under the local coalition led by Makati Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay.
Ed Marquez has been a village representative of East Rembo for 18 years.
Found in the policeman’s house were five bags of shabu worth P30,000, two caliber 9 millimeter firearms, two airguns, ammunition, and various drug paraphernalia.
The two suspects are currently detained at the Makati Central Police Station. Tamonan and Marquez are facing criminal charges for illegal possession of firearms, drugs and prohibited sale thereof.
Marquez also faces administrative charges before the Philippine National Police and National Police Commission. NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS
The post Drug-peddling policeman arrested in Makati appeared first on The Manila Times Online.