Drug unit head fired for ‘recycled’ drugs

The chief of the Station Drug Enforcement Unit of the Adriatico (Station 9) police station was ordered relieved and investigated yesterday for alleged pilferage and "recycling" of drug evidence.

Ordered stripped of his service firearm and transferred to the WPD Civil Disturbance Management Unit was Senior Police Officer 4 Norberto Murillo former head of the DEU of Station 9.

According to WPD spokesman, Senior Inspector Gerry Agunod, the relief and investigation of Murillo was ordered by Razon on recommendation of WPD Station 9 commander Superintendent Amador Pabustan.

Agunod said that initial investigation showed Murillo’s alleged involvement with bigtime drug groups in the Malate area. Murillo was also involved in the pilferage and "recycling" of seized drug evidence.

Last Tuesday, a team headed by Murillo seized a kilo of shabu from three suspected pushers during a buy-bust operation in Malate. The siezed drugs and the three suspects identified as Joselito Noque, 47, native of Pampanga and resident of 630 San Andres st., Malate; Ariel Bansao, 31, native of Lanao, resident of 630 San Andres st., Malate; and Aida Bansao, 30 native of Bacolod City and resident of 3101 Burgos st., Paco, Manila were later presented to Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

However, Murillo delivered only 600 grams to the WPD Crime Laboratory for custody. When asked where the missing 400 grams went, he blamed the WPD Scene of the Crime Operations for its disappearance.

The STAR failed to get Murillo’s side yesterday. Meanwhile, five members of the Alindog Gang were arrested in a buy-bust operation that resulted in the confiscation of 2.5 kilos of shabu worth P4.8 million in Las Pinas yesterday.

The arrested suspects were identified as Reynante Lara, 42, of Imus Cavite; Elan Tolentino, 28, of Tandang Sora, Quezon City; Nenita Lopez, 45, of Dasmarinas, Cavite; Justina Ilawan, 53, of Dasmarinas, Cavite; and Esteliota Legaspi, 39, of Imus Cavite.

In another development, operatives of the Central Police District arrested yesterday a dismissed police officer, his wife and a rookie cop in separate drug buy-bust operations in Quezon City.

Chief Superintendent Victor Luga, Central Police District Director, said arrested were former Senior Inspector Rufil Tagalog, 53, his wife Norma, both of Laura st., Barangay Old Balara, and Police Officer 1 Ariel Arnaiz, 34, of Mang David st. Barangay Baesa, both in Quezon City.

"When arrested, (Tagalog) identified himself as a captain assigned with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)," Dizon said. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Rainier Allan Ronda, Matthew Estabillo