Levistes elated with DOJ ruling clearing them on drug haul

Batangas, Philippines – The Leviste family was elated when the Department of Justice (DOJ) did not include any of its members in the charges filed in connection with the Christmas Day raid on a Lipa City ranch that yielded 84 kilos of shabu worth P420 million that was linked to a Mexican drug cartel. 

“I have not been informed about the DOJ decision yet, but if it’s factual, then I thank our authorities for seeing our case and petition through. The truth has cleared our family and our names from any and all illegal activities,” Vice Gov. Mark Leviste said in a text message to The STAR.

In a 12-page resolution dated Feb. 11, the DOJ recommended the filing of charges for illegal possession of dangerous drugs under Republic Act 9165 against Jorge Gomez Torres and Gary Ting Tan, lessee and farm manager, respectively, of LPL Estate Ranch that the Leviste family partly owns.

Also charged were Jaime Ibarra Sanchez and Carlos Estollano Ochoa for transport of dangerous drugs. 

Authorities suspect that Torres, Sanchez and Ochoa belonged to the Sinaloa Mexican drug syndicate. The three were added to the complaint sheet that originally included only Tan and farm caretakers Arjay and Rochelle Argenos. 

The charges against the Argenos couple, however, were dismissed. 

Leviste’s father Conrad and former Batangas governor Jose Antonio earlier had denied any knowledge on the activities of the supposed Mexican drug cartel.