DOJ approves P50-M drug raps vs American; Mikey spared

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the indictment of an American arrested in a drug raid at The Columns condominium in Makati City in November last year.

After preliminary investigation, the DOJ has found probable cause to charge Brian Kevin Hills for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Hills was found in possession of P50 million worth of illegal drugs during an operation by the Philippine National Police-Anti Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force (PNP-AIDSOTF) on Nov. 20, 2012.

In a 12-page resolution released yesterday, investigating Assistant State Prosecutors Juan Pedro Navera and Anna Noreen Devanadera cited as basis the respondent’s “constructive possession” of about a kilo of shabu, five grams of cocaine, tablets of the anti-anxiety drug Valium and syringes inside his Mitsubishi Pajero and condominium unit.

Meanwhile, Ang Galing ng Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, who was earlier dragged into the controversy due to previous ownership of the vehicle involved in the case by his former staff, was spared in the investigation.

“There’s no finding as to issue on ownership, only possession. And we cannot investigate him (Arroyo) since he was not impleaded by the Philippine National Police,” Navera said.

The prosecutors said that while Hills was only renting the condominium unit and the red-plate vehicle from Daniel Rupinta Jr. and Carolina Estabillo, respectively, the suspect has control over them.

The Pajero was reportedly registered under National Power Corp. (Napocor) and loaned to a former staff of Arroyo.

The PNP-AIDSOTF said the illegal drugs were seized from the 33-year-old American’s unit at the Columns Condominium Tower II located at the corner of Ayala and Buendia Avenues.

The operation was conducted by virtue of a search warrant issued by Quezon City Judge Fernando Sagun Jr.

Authorities believed that Hills had been distributing illegal drugs in Makati City after initial investigation conducted in coordination with the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

In seeking dismissal of the charges, Hills claimed he was just a fall guy. He said the real target of the police operation was a certain “Phil.”

The DOJ, however, said his possession of the illegal drugs was undeniable.