Pubdate: Sun, 13 Mar 2005
Source: Sunday Punch (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunday Punch
Contact:  http://punch.dagupan.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3678
Author: APE
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

TOTS TAPPED AS MARIJUANA COURIERS

LINGAYEN-Watch out for that innocent looking kid on the
block.

A syndicate has employed children, most of them pupils and students,
as couriers of marijuana in various schools.

This was revealed by Chief Inspector Christopher Abrahano, provincial
director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), who said
the syndicate targets children by enticing them initially with free
marijuana.

He said that when these are already addicted to marijuana, the
syndicate refuses to give anything to them any more till they agree to
clandestinely sell the stuff to their classmates.

Marijuana has dislodged methamphitamine hydrochloride or shabu as
object of addiction because  the shortage of shabu in the market
brought about by the continuing successful operations conducted by
lawmen against  drug laboratories in various parts of the country.

Abrahano said that he has fielded operatives in certain schools where
the syndicate members were believed operating.

"We have learned their modus operandi so we had to make a move in
order to save the  future of the children," he said.

However, Abrahano called on parents to monitor their children and
observe their behavior in order to find out if they are now using
marijuana or other drugs.

At the same, time, Abrahano revealed that the PDEA is now monitoring
some of PNP personnel who might be involved in illegal drugs or are
drug abusers themselves.

In the past, some policemen were found positive in drug tests
conducted by the police. 
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