Big time ‘party drugs’ supplier killed in Manila buy-bust

PDEA agents also recovered Pasion’s cellular phones containing sensitive videos of drugged women. (File Photo: PDEA Top Stories/Facebook)

MANILA — An alleged “big-time party drugs supplier” in Metro Manila was killed in a buy-bust operation in Manila on Monday evening.

PDEA Special Enforcement Service Director Levi Ortiz said the suspect, Steve “John” Pasion, 31, was killed after he allegedly tried to grab the firearm and fire at an arresting officer at the parking lot of his condominium unit in (Amaia Skies Avenida) Barangay 310 in Santa Cruz, Manila.

“He tried to grab the firearm of the arresting officer and even tried to shoot one of the operatives. This prompted operatives to shoot back in self-defense. Dinala siya sa ospital at sa kasamaang palad binawian siya ng buhay (He was brought to a hospital but he died later),” Ortiz said.

Also arrested was Pasion’s live-in girlfriend, Irene “Sophie” Mercado, who was in the car with him when the transaction was ongoing.

The operation yielded 15 tablets of suspected “ecstasy” worth PHP30,000; PHP300,000 worth of suspected “shabu” and sachets of suspected cocaine.

Also recovered from Pasion’s condominium unit, which Ortiz said was being used as a “warehouse” for imported narcotics, were a kilogram of “shabu” worth PHP6 million, three bottles of liquid ecstasy worth PHP75,000 and other drug paraphernalia.

PDEA agents also recovered Pasion’s cellular phones containing sensitive videos of drugged women.

He said Pasion even managed to break one of his phones which allegedly contains more information about his illegal transactions.

He added that the suspect has “regular clients” — a movie and television actor and actress whom he refused to name.

“They’re high-profile, always appearing on TV,” Ortiz said.