4 MPD cops face raps

MANILA, Philippines - Charges are set to be filed today against four members of the Manila Police District (MPD) for allegedly hiding in their lockers confiscated illegal drugs that were supposed to be turned over to police laboratories to be used as evidence in court.

Among those to be charged is Senior Inspector Titoy Jay Cuden, head of the MPD’s District Anti-Illegal Drugs (DAID), who had been keeping shabu and other illegal drugs in his office.

A source told The STAR that Cuden and his men could be held liable for violating provisions of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The three others will be identified after the charges are filed against them before the city prosecutor’s office.

The case against them stemmed from the directive of MPD director Senior Superintendent Rolando Nana to inspect DAID’s office last Saturday over reports that the policemen were hiding illegal drugs.

At least five kilos of shabu, 20 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were confiscated from the suspects during the inspection led by Chief Inspector Dennis Wagas.

Under the law, the police officers should have turned over the seized illegal drugs to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for submission to the court within 24 hours.