OFFICER ACCUSED OF DELIVERING COCAINE AND MARIJUANA WHILE ON THE JOB

A Houston police officer was arrested Tuesday night and accused of selling
a large amount of cocaine and marijuana while on duty and in uniform,
Houston Police Department officials said.

Gilberto Davila Zertuche, 42, is charged with delivery of a controlled
substance and delivery of marijuana, said HPD spokesman John Leggio.
Zertuche remains in jail this morning in lieu of bonds totaling $450,000.

Internal affairs officers arrested Zertuche around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday
outside an apartment in the 400 block of South Bender in Humble, where
the drug transaction is alleged to have happened, Leggio said.

HPD officials say Zertuche is accused of delivering one kilogram -- or
2.2 pounds -- of cocaine and 100 pounds of marijuana. After receiving
money for the delivery, Zertuche was arrested while walking to his
marked police car, which was parked at the apartment complex,
officials said.

An undercover officer bought the drugs from Zertuche, officials
said.

Zertuche's arrest came 18 years to the day after he was hired by the
police department, city records show. He is assigned to HPD's
Marshal's Division, which oversees municipal courts, Leggio said.

Leggio said Zertuche was on duty, but away from his assigned area of
responsibility when he was arrested. He has been relieved of duty with
pay pending the outcome of the investigation.