Ex-cop, brod nabbed in drug buy-bust

ROXAS CITY — Police here have arrested a dismissed policeman and his brother for alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Supt. Kashmir Disomangcop, Roxas police chief, identified the suspects as former PO1 Chester Cordovero and brother, Ricky, residents of Mckinley Street in barangay 1, Roxas City.

The suspects were arrested last Tuesday in separate raids on their respective houses conducted by the Roxas police based on the search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Edward Contreras dated April 29, 2011.

The police recovered from Chester’s house 17 plastic sachets containing suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride), marked money used in the buy-bust operation, a .45 cal. Colt Mark IV, two magazines for a .45 cal. firearm with six live ammunition, one .22 cal. air gun, a .22 cal. Magnum Smith and Wesson with five live ammunition, two 5.56 mm live ammunition, a Philippine National Police badge and identification card and a cellular phone, among other items.

The police also confiscated 10 plastic sachets with traces of suspected shabu, 134 disposable lighters and 37 small pieces of aluminum foil from the house of Ricky.

Ricky, whose house is adjacent to Chester’s, admitted using shabu, but denied any involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Chester joined the police service in 1995 and was a member of the Provincial Special Operations Group of the Capiz Police Provincial Office. /INQUIRER