Pubdate: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines ANTIDRUG BODY LAUDS 57 QC COPS FIFTY-SEVEN police officers of the Quezon City Police District, including four station commanders, were commended by the Quezon City Anti-drug Abuse Advisory Council for their dedication in curbing the problem of illegal drug trade in the city. Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., the council's honorary chair, led city officials in presenting the certificates of commendation to the outstanding police officers during simple rites at the Quezon City Hall lobby. He was assisted by Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, council chair. "May this commendation serve as an inspiration to all law-enforcement officers and well-meaning citizens in a determined effort to win the war against illegal drugs. What our city police had accomplished is a living testimony of their unrelenting commitment in making Quezon City a drug-free community," Belmonte said. Honored were police officers from La Loma (Station 1), Baler (Station 2), Batasan Hills (Station 6) and Cubao (Station 7), including their station commanders-Supts. Allan Parrenno, Em-manuel Bautista, Raul Petra-santa and Bernabe Balba. The police officers from La Loma were responsible for the seizure of some 6.8 kilograms of ketamine hydrocholoride, a veterinary anesthetic now used as a "party drug," during a raid on Apo Street, Barangay Santa Teresita, in May. The raid, which led to the arrest of the laboratory caretaker and the seizure of the illegal precursors, would have produced illegal drugs with a street value of close to P34 million. Ketamine has a street value of P5,000 a gram. The police officers from Batasan Hills confiscated some 1,625 kilos of ephedrine, a precursor of methamphetamine hydrocholoride or shabu, during a raid at Unit 13, Romarosa Townhouse, Luzon Avenue, Barangay Old Balara, on June 6. - ---