PDEA probes 2 actors’ link to slain drug dealer
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2019 07:53:02 +0000
DIRECTOR Levi Ortiz (right) of the Special Enforcement Service (SES) of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency presents Irene ‘Sophie’ Mercado (left), companion of alleged party drug supplier Steve Pasion who was killed during a buy-bust operation in Sta. Cruz, Manila, Monday night. (Kevin Tristan Espiritu)
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is looking into possible link of two showbiz celebrities to big-time party drug dealer Steve Pasion who was killed after he allegedly grabbed the gun of an anti-narcotics agent while attempting to evade arrest at a condominium in Sta. Cruz, Manila, Monday night.
PDEA Special Enforcement Service Director Levi Ortiz withheld the identities of the celebrities whose names were seen in the cellphone of Pasion.
“Isa sa mga parokyano niya mga celebrities. Marami tayong namonitor pero ‘yung na-confirm talaga natin based on text messages we extracted from his (Pasion) cellphone, dalawang artista,” Ortiz said.
Based on the text messages, Ortiz said the two celebrities want to purchase 200 pieces of ecstasy from Pasion.
Ortiz confirmed that PDEA has been monitoring the activities of the two celebrities for quite sometime as there were previous reports about their alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
“Pero ‘yung mga artista na ‘yan matagal na din tayo may reports na involved sila. Lalo kaming nagduda nung nabasa namin,” he added.
Pasion was killed while his female companion was arrested during the buy-bust operation conducted by PDEA agents and Manila policemen in Sta. Cruz, Manila, on Monday night.
Pasion was shot dead after he tried to grab the service firearm of a PDEA agent while attempting to escape at the third parking level of the Amaia Skies Avenida in Barangay 310, Sta. Cruz, Manila.
The suspect’s SUV was blocked by the arresting team as he tried to elude arrest.
A report submitted to PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino, the PDEA agent was forced to shoot Pasion as the latter tried to snatch his 9mm pistol.
Pasion’s live-in partner, Sophie Mercado, claimed that she was unaware that Pasion was into illegal drug trade as she maintained her innocence.
Mercado refused to answer more queries insisting that further statements will be made with the assistance or through her lawyer.
Authorities seized during the operation 15 tablets of suspected ecstasy worth more or less P30,000, 50 grams of suspected shabu worth at least P300,000, the buy-bust money, sachets of suspected cocaine, sachets of suspected ecstasy capsule, one caliber 9mm pistol with one magazine and 13 live ammos.
The anti-drug operation was done after months of intense monitoring.
PDEA-NCR Director Joel Plaza said Pasion had been involved in illegal drug operations inside condominiums and warehouses in Metro Manila and neighboring areas.
He explained that drug dealers found it convenient to use condominiums as their places of operation since the occupants from other units have minimal interaction with one another.
Plaza said Pasion hired security men to protect him being a high-profile dealer of party drugs.
The arresting team later found illegal drugs and other drug paraphernalia inside Pasion’s condo unit in the same building. (Chito A. Chavez)