Justice department dismisses drug raps vs Espinosa, Lim and 8 others

March 12, 2018

The justice department on Monday dismissed illegal drug charges against Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim, confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and eight others.

In a 41-page resolution, the DOJ’s panel of prosecutors dismissed for lack of probable cause the complaint for sale, administration, dispensation, trading, delivery and transportation of illegal drugs under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act against Lim and other respondents filed by the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) last year.

The prosecutors  also dropped the charges against inmate Peter Co, Max Miro, Ruel Malindangan, Jun Pepito and Lovely Adam Impal.

The justice department rejected the testimony of respondent - turned - witness Marcelo Adorco who tagged Lim as supplier of illegal drugs to Espinosa.

"Though it may be argued that the corpus delicti of a crime may be established even by a single witness' uncorroborated testimony or even by circumstantial evidence, it is essential that this witness by credible. Given that Adorco is not a credible witness -- judging from the material inconsistencies and improbability of his allegations," stated the resolution signed by Assistant State Prosecutors Michael John Humarang and Aristotle Reyes.

Adorco claimed in his affidavit Lim had supplied narcotics in “staggering amounts” to suspected drug kingpin Espinosa for more than two years. DMS