6 drug test center workers caught in shabu session

Six "employees" of a drug testing center accredited by Land Transportation Office (LTO) for licensing requirements were arrested by police after they were caught in a shabu session yesterday in Parañaque City.

Police identified the suspects as Francis Santos, 28; Noel Carolino, 40; Eduardo Lejat; Edward Bermejo, 40; Dindo Nazareno, 32; and Edward Rosales, 30.

All six had IDs issued by the Mahogany Drug Testing Center. They admitted to being fixers at the LTO.

Probers said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the station’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force at around 10:30 a.m. inside a house on MIA Road in Barangay Tambo.

Parañaque police chief Superintendent Ronald Estilles said the six were caught in the act of using shabu. He said a tip from a police asset led to the operation.

Also recovered from the suspects were three sachets with residue of the illegal drug, two water pipes, an improvised gas burner, a disposable lighter and aluminum foil.

At the police station, Estilles said the suspects admitted they have taken the illegal drug in the past.

Possession and use of illegal drugs charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 have been filed against the suspects, police said.