Pubdate: Tue, 15 Feb 2005
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Philippine Daily Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.inquirer.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1073
Author: Joel Francis Guinto
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

14 MINORS IN PASIG DRUG BUST TO FACE JUVENILE COURTS--POLICE

FOURTEEN minors rounded up in a drug raid in Pasig City last Friday
will be charged before juvenile courts after testing positive for drug
use, a police official said.

Seven of the fourteen, including a pregnant 14-year-old, tested
positive for "shabu" (methamphetamine hydrochloride) while seven
others tested positive for marijuana, said Director Marcelo Ele, chief
of the police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF).

"The youngest is 14 years old and the eldest is 17 years old. They
will be charged with drug use before a juvenile court," Ele said in a
phone interview.

Six adults, who also tested positive for "shabu" use, will be charged
with illegal drug use before regular courts, he said.

Two others will be charged for drug pushing, six others for
maintenance of a drug den, 28 for possession of illegal drugs, and 23
for possession of drug paraphernalia, he added.

Some 300 people were arrested after police raided a "one-stop shop"
for illegal drugs composed of 100 shanties in Pasig City.

A total of 59 minors were arrested and placed under the custody of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development. Those who tested
negative for drug use will be released, Ele said.

The raid prompted the relief of several officials, including the
police chief for Pasig City, Senior Superintendent Raul Medina.
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MAP posted-by: Tom