NBI: Caloocan vice mayor’s brod eluded drug den raid

THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation said a brother of Caloocan Vice Mayor Macario Asistio eluded arrest when it launched a raid Thursday night on a drug den he allegedly operated.

Joel Tovera, head of the NBI’s anti-illegal drugs division, said his team arrested three other persons but remained on the lookout for Luisito “Pachot” Asistio, who is believed to be one of the operators of the drug den on Greer Tech Street, University Hills Subdivision, in Caloocan.

Tovera said NBI agents found drug paraphernalia, three plastic sachets containing white crystalline residue, a plastic bag with dried green leaves, another with dried seeds, and a metal container labeled “Department of Finance” and containing more dried leaves.

They also found three shotgun rounds, he said.

Arsenio Pascual IV, an architect who owned the house where the items were found, was arrested by Tovera’s men who went there with search warrant issued by Manila Executive Judge Reynaldo Alhambra.

Also arrested were Sharlot Isip, Pascual’s girlfriend; and Michael Gerez, who were said to be visiting the house at that time. Tovera said all three later tested positive for drug use.

In a statement, the NBI said it acted on a tip that Pascual and Asistio maintained the drug den at the house, whose lower section was being rented out to Asistio.

Charges for operating a drug den, possession of illegal drugs, and illegal possession of ammunition were set to be filed against Asistio and Pascual, while Gerez and Isip were to be sued for drug use, the bureau added.