CIDG-7 suspends serving of search warrants for drugs

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region (CIDG) -7 suspended the serving of search warrants for persons directly involved in illegal drugs in accordance to a memorandum from Camp Crame, an official said.

CIDG-7 Regional Deputy Chief Hector Amancia said that they received a memorandum from Camp Crame last April 6 ordering them to put off serving search warrants related to anti-illegal drug operations.

As to why their operations were put on hold, Amancia said he cannot yet disclose the real reason for the suspension.

CIDG-7 Regional Chief Royina Garma said they will be looking for other possible violations of those persons suspected to be involved in drugs.

“Kung hindi natin ma-establish yung direct link nila sa drugs, yung other crimes such as failure to declare his or her assets, (kung) may tax evasion na nangyari,” she added.

She said they will hunt down those wanted persons in Central Visayas as well as conduct financial investigations on individuals suspected of being involved in the illegal drug trade.

“So, pagsinabi mo suspected, we have received mga intelligence report that they are into drug business. Our office is tasked to establish a case based on investigation focusing on the assets of these personalities kasi pwedeng baka ma-involved sa money- laundering, paano siya nakaacquire ng property, e yung negosyo niya eto lang naman, itong income,” Garma said.

Apart from financial investigations and targeting most wanted persons, CIDG-7 will also focus on other crimes such as murder, homicide, theft, robbery, physical injuries, car and motorcycle theft, and rape.

Both officials do not have any idea when they will resume the antiillegal drug operations.

On January 30, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to suspend Operation Tokhang for a month, to give way to the internal cleansing of the police ranks.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency was then tasked to lead the anti-narcotics operations.

After almost a month of hiatus, the PNP resumed its campaign against illegal drugs on February 28.