Pubdate: Sun, 28 Jul 2002
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2002
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Non Alquitran
Note: To read more about the Philippines latest anti-drug crusade visit
http://www.mapinc.org/areas/philippines .

SHABU 'RECYCLED'

A Filipino-Chinese drug pusher, who is presently in the custody of an
anti-narcotics unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed that
Manila policemen "recycled" back to the streets some six kilos of shabu
worth P9 million he had earlier surrendered to them. The Manila police also
collected more than P2 million, the proceeds of his shabu peddling racket
while he was still under detention, the drug pusher claimed.

The Fil-Chinese drug pusher made his revelation while undergoing tactical
interrogation right after he and his girlfriend were arrested in Binondo,
Manila Saturday night. A police source told The Star that the captors of the
drug pusher and his lover confiscated from them an undetermined amount of
shabu and other paraphernalia.

The police unit involved in the operation refused to give details
surrounding the arrest of the Fil-Chinese and his lover as they are still
gathering solid evidence to pin down Manila policemen in the shabu
"recycling" racket." The Fil-Chinese drug pusher expressed his willingness
to testify against the Manila policemen.

The lovers will be presented to the media anytime this week.

The Star source said that right after his arrest, the suspect readily
admitted he was involved in the illegal drugs business. He then revealed the
"recycling" racket of Manila policemen and vowed to give a sworn statement
to his present captors to support his claim.

The drug pusher also said a Special Reaction Unit of a Manila police station
arrested him sometime this month for possession of an undetermined amount of
shabu intended for his personal use.

He said the policemen kept him in a safehouse where he was "tortured" to
reveal the "real picture" of his drug pushing business.

While in captivity, the drug pusher said, Manila policemen escorted him to
different areas of Metro Manila to collect some P2 million in payments of
his previous drug transactions. He said he also surrendered six kilos of
shabu still in his possession so no additional harm would be inflicted on
him.

The Fil-Chinese drug pusher claimed the Manila police charged him with
illegal possession of drugs, which was a bailable offense.

But he learned later, that the commander of the police station "recycled"
back to the streets the shabu he had surrendered. He said he is willing to
testify against the Manila policemen involved in the "shakedown" racket.
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk