DOJ finds probable cause to charge ex-PBA cager Dorian Peña for drug use

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has found probable cause to charge ex-PBA player Dorian Peña in court for use of dangerous drugs stemming from his arrest, along with two other people, in Mandaluyong City on May 10.

Peña, Jose Paolo "JP" Ampeso, and Ledy Mea "Mae" Vilchez were arrested in a buy-bust operation inside a condominium unit in Merryland Village.

Seized from the suspects were two plastic sachets containing shabu, several pieces of drug paraphernalia and a weighing scale.

The three also tested positive for drug use, according to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Taking into account the NBI report, the two-man panel of prosecutors decided that Peña should be charged for violation of Section 15 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165) for his use of the illegal drug methampethamine and its metabolite amphetamine.

The DOJ panel, meanwhile, deferred its decision on the complaint against Peña for visiting a drug den, which is a violation under Section 7 of Republic Act 9165.

The panel said a preliminary investigation has to be conducted to resolve the issue whether the condominium unit is a drug den.

Ampeso and Vilchez were the ones who had requested for the preliminary investigation, the May 12 resolution stated.

The DOJ panel will also look into possibility of filing charges for sale of illegal drugs against Peña since the NBI alleged that he was with Ampeso and Vilchez when the drug deal involving an undercover government agent took place.

The resolution was prepared by Assistant State Prosecutors Josie Christina Dugay and Ethel Rea Suril. It was approved by Senior Assistant State Prosecutors Juan Pedro Navera and Prosecutor General Victor Sepulveda.

The NBI had earlier said Vilchez has links to alleged party drug supplier Jun No, a Korean-American who escaped from his guards while under hospital detention at East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City on April 15.

Intelligence sources had confirmed to the NBI that Vilchez is an escort girl who delivered drugs for Korean clients.

Vilchez was also said to be the woman last seen with No before he escaped.  —KBK, GMA News