(Eagle News)–A co-accused of Senator Leila de Lima in two drug-related cases was arrested on Friday, Aug. 16.
NBI director Ferdinand Lavin said Jose Adrian Dera, who had gone into hiding for two years following the charges filed against him, was nabbed by the National Bureau of Investigation in Pampanga.
The charges were in connection with his alleged role as De Lima’s and former Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Bucayu’s bagman in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison when De Lima was justice secretary.
Dera was also accused by NBP inmates Hans Tan and Peter Co of demanding millions of pesos and vehicles from them in exchange for the release of one of their nieces who had been nabbed on drug-related charges.
Lavin said the arrest was by virtue of a warrant issued by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.
De Lima has denied Dera was her nephew and that he had worked for her.
De Lima is detained in Camp Crame over the drug-related charges. Moira Encina
