Fil-Am, 8 others nabbed in anti-drug ops in Mandaluyong, QC

Nine people were arrested in separate anti-illegal drug operations including a raid in a condominium unit in Mandaluyong City allegedly being used as a drug den and laboratory.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino identified the owner of the unit as Dennis Ray Aguilar Thieke, 37, a Filipino-American.

“Thieke’s condominium unit is being utilized as a drug den and at the same time, a clandestine laboratory used in the manufacture of capsulized ecstasy, a party drug,” Aquino said Thursday.

He said agents of PDEA-Special Enforcement Service (PDEA-SES) conducted the search around 2 a.m.

Confiscated during the search were two self-sealing sachets containing suspected shabu weighing more or else 12 grams worth P60,000; 36 tablets and nine capsules of ecstasy, with an estimated street value of P112,500; 13 bottles of different sizes containing suspected liquid ecstasy, weighing more or less 660 ml. worth P132,000.

Authorities also seized five sachets containing suspected cocaine, weighing approximately 10 grams worth P30,000; one medium-sized transparent plastic bag and one small jar containing suspected dried marijuana leaves, weighing approximately 50 grams worth P3,000; one bottle of white powdery substance containing suspected dangerous drugs.

Found at the unit were one Booster M4 with two magazines containing pieces of live ammunition; and assorted drug paraphernalia.

“Also discovered in Thieke’s condominium were laboratory apparatus, chemicals and several empty capsules utilized in the production of ecstasy in capsulated form,” Aquino said.

The operation also led to the arrest of Dianh Carlo Lescano Malayo, 25; Belinda Morrison, 25; Ian Mitchelle Custorio, 31, a project manager; Ymmanuel Orfelia Parada, 26, a tattoo artist; and Pancrasio Masinsin Parada, 53, a carpenter, who were all inside Thieke’s unit when the search was conducted.

Charges for violation of Section 6 (Maintenance of a Drug Den), Section 8 (Manufacture of Dangerous Drugs), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against Thieke.

Meanwhile, Malayo, Morrison, Custorio, and the Paradas will be facing charges for violation of Section 7 (Visitors of a Drug Den).

On the other hand, two persons who tried to bribe PDEA-SES operatives in exchange for the immediate release of Thieke were also arrested.

Aquino identified the suspects as Engineer Felicisimo Aguilar Jr., 54 and Daniel Cajape, 32, a barangay kagawad and resident of Purok 2, Barangay Pag-asa, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Charges for violation of Article 212 (Corruption of Public Officer), of the Revised Penal Code will be filed against them.

“I would like to commend our agents for their exemplary behavior for declining the bribe of one million pesos.  This demonstrates that moral integrity and consciousness still form a greater part of the country’s law enforcement system,” said Aquino.

PDEA operatives also arrested the alleged runner of Thieke and pusher of ecstasy identified as Taisir Nardo, alias TJ Howard, in an entrapment operation in a hotel in Cubao, Quezon City, on Wednesday.

The operation was conducted around 5:45 p.m., at Room ZEN 2, 4th floor of I-Suites Hotel, located along Imperial Street, Cubao.

Confiscated from Nardo were seven plastic bottles of suspected liquid ecstasy, weighing more or less 500 ml, with an estimated street value of P100,000, and one suspected ecstasy tablet worth P2,500.

Charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 will be filed in court against Nardo. —KBK, GMA News