ANTI-narcotics agents on Wednesday, January 24, arrested a top regional official of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for possession and use of illegal drugs at the official’s home in RER subdivision in Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City.
The drug suspect was identified as 53 year-old lawyer Mario Jay Pielago, chief legal officer of the Department of Agrarian Reform-Misamis Oriental.
Armed with a search warrant issued by a court in Gingoog City, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Northern Mindanao (PDEA-10) swooped down and search the house of Pielago which resulted to the confiscation of prohibited drugs.
Seized were roughly 15 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu placed in three big packs and worth around P150,000.
Also confiscated were several drug paraphernalia after PDEA-10 agents claimed that the suspect was caught using crystal meth in plain view during the raid.
PDEA-Northern Mindanao agent Ben Calibre said they applied for search warrant from the Gingoog City court to avoid leakage since the suspect was the son of a former judge.
"The court dinhi sa syudad nag advise nga dili dinhi mag-apply to avoid leakage. Kasaraga sa mga judges karon kaila sa iyang father and sa iya pud," Calibre said.
(The courts in the city advised not to apply here in the city because most of the judges here knows him and his father)
Calibre said the suspect was categorized as level 4 high valued target in the illegal drug trade and was long been monitored by PDEA-Northern Mindanao.
He said the suspect both use and sell prohibited drugs to his illegal drugs network.
"Pusher and user siya. Na-validate nato through case surveillance ang mga information nga gihatag sa ato sa mga informants," Calibre said.
(He is a pusher and user. We were able to validate this through surveillance given by our informants)
Calibre also said the suspect was supplying drugs to some prominent personalities.
DAR secretary John Castriciones, who was in the city Wednesday for a visit and get updates of the accomplishments the regional office, was peeved upon learning of Pielago’s arrest.
Castriciones said the suspect had also tested positive for drug use during the surprise drug test initiated by DAR-10 officials in December, last year.
"I'm a bit disappointed to find out that one of DAR officials, who is also a lawyer, is actually involved in illegal drugs. Well anyway, it can happen to anyone as a matter of fact there were governors, mayors, even senator who were involved in this kind of activity. But I was trying to clarify the matter with the regional director because it clearly got my ire when I learned that one of our officials with DAR is actually involved with this," Castriciones said.
The suspect will face charges against possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia and use of illegal drugs.
Calibre said the suspect may not be able to post bail because of the quantity of the items seized.