Pamela Violeta Astacio Ramon, who would play a “key” role in the alleged drug trafficking network headed by Yunior Santos Restrepoarrested last year, also appears in the accusatory document of the Public Prosecutor’s Office under the alias “Melvin Cat”.
According to the prosecution, “Melvin Gato” is the name under which Santos Restrepo had her saved on his cell phone due to the “extramarital” relationship they allegedly had.
The document details that conversations were found on the device that included information about places, dates, images, videos and audios, which allegedly confirm Astacio Ramón’s participation in the organization.
In addition, the Public Prosecutor’s Office The court maintains that Pamela Violeta received money from the sale of drugs and other controlled substances in the United States, which she then transferred to the Dominican Republic. She used her U.S. bank accounts to send the money, either in the name of Yunior Santos Restrepo or other persons, so that these funds could be used by the criminal organization.
It is also alleged that Astacio Ramón collaborated with Santos Restrepo in the acquisition of high-value movable and immovable property, and even in hiding assets that have already been confiscated by the authorities to benefit the accused. This action sought to prevent said assets from being disposed of by the Dominican State.
Talks in September 2023
During their conversations, they exchanged 380 messages between September 7 and September 22, 2023. During that period, they allegedly discussed issues related to the delivery of 5.2 units of something undetermined, presumably money, the organization of meetings with the fugitive Diana Patricia Restrepo Nader (Yunior’s mother), and the delivery of 200 units of something also undetermined, presumed to be money, as a birthday present.
On September 7, 2023, Pamela Violeta claimed to have given the accused Restrepo Nader the sum of 10,950 and 5,200 dollars, mentioning the shipment of a person identified only as “La Gorda”, in charge of collecting the money. That same day, the accused sent the figure 241-100, to which Astacio Ramón asked if that money was from the “strong” one. The accused replied that it was about something else and that he had sent it to have it.
On September 8, 2023, Yunior Santos Restrepo allegedly ordered Pamela Violeta to look for money at the same location, telling her that he would also give her gasoline and “something for the living room.” On September 11, 2023, this contact confirmed to the defendant that “La Gorda” would deposit the money that day, and then informed him that she had sent $5,000 to her mother, Diana Patricia Restrepo, through a transfer marked with the number CP10202379062692, for an amount of 575 dollars.
That same day, at 6:44:57 p.m., he sends her an image with a transaction of $5,000. On September 14, 2023, they discuss a trip to Colombia and a surgical procedure that the accused Danilo Antonio Piñeyro Aristy would perform.
On September 20, 2023, Pamela Violeta asked the accused Santos Restrepo if there was a “ticket” (money), to which he replied that he would verify and let her know, later indicating that they were waiting.
The prosecution claims that Pamela Violeta’s activities of receiving, transporting and sending money have been confirmed through a financial investigation carried out by its investigators.
From July 15, 2020, to May 2, 2023, they observed that he transferred USD 91,100.00 through banking products from the United States.
Resides in the USA.
The accused resides in the United States and occasionally travels to the Dominican Republic, where she stays in a residential area located in the National District. The authorities took advantage of one of her Trips to the country to arrest her last Wednesday, September 3.
During the raid, the Public Prosecutor’s Office They seized cash, a copy of the ID of fugitive Diana Patricia Restrepo Nader, jewelry, receipts for purchases of clothing and Rolex watches, bank deposit receipts, and documents for the defendant’s vehicle, a Honda.
Documents related to a property belonging to Yanna Santos Restrepo, passports, a hard drive, a copy of Yunior Santos Restrepo’s ID, service contracts in the name of Astacio Ramón, a rental contract, and a laptop were also found. In addition, a Honda CR-V, owned by Astacio Ramón, was seized, along with other items.
