PDEA nabs 2 men posing as Interpol, selling cocaine

Two men who posed as officers of the International Police Commission (Interpol) were arrested after selling cocaine during a buy-bust operation in Mandaluyong City on Thursday. Senior Undersecretary Dionisio Santiago, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, identified the arrested suspects as Emil Aragon of Mandaluyong City and Dionisio Valdez of Bulacan. The two were arrested after selling around seven grams of suspected cocaine to a PDEA undercover agent in Mandaluyong City at about 7 p.m. Aragon reportedly identified himself to the "buyer" as a police lieutenant colonel from the Interpol, while Valdez said he holds the rank of a police lieutenant general. "This is another case of extreme irony where people who introduce themselves supposedly as police officers and members of an anti-drug advocacy group have been caught in the act of selling dangerous drugs," Santiago said. PDEA personnel also confiscated several Interpol and Philippine Anti-Drug Support Group Inc. (PADSGI) ID cards, badges, and call cards. Authorities also seized from the two men Mission Order forms, “Share a Joy" tickets, and a solicitation letter bearing the letterhead “Philippine Anti-Drug Support Group Incorporated." The nabbed suspects were consequently charged with violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) in relation to Section 26 (b) (Conspiracy to Sell). Santiago urged the public to report any similar illegal acts to the PDEA through its hotlines 927-9702 and 928-3534 local 100.—Mark D. Merueñas/JV, GMANews.TV