Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2005
Source: People's Journal (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 People's Journal
Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp
Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381
Author: Cory Martinez
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

PAINTER GETS LIFE FOR .02 GRAM OF SHABU

THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court yesterday sentenced to life
imprisonment a painter for selling a 0.02 gram of shabu to a cop two
years ago.

Branch 103 Judge Jaime Salazar Jr. found Salvador Sanchez guilty
beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 5 of Republic Act 9165.

A poseur-buyer, SPO2 Levi Sevilla, of the Novaliches Police Station,
arrested Sanchez after receiving a sachet of shabu worth P100 from the
suspect on April 6, 2003 inside a squatter's shanty in Baesa, QC.

Sanchez claimed Sevilla barged into his house and arrested him.
Salazar junked the defense of the accused as he found the
prosecution's version more reliable.

"The accused looks every inch a drug user and his bearing and demeanor
in court -- head bowed, eyes sad and dreamy and the like -- do not
convince," Salazar stated in his decision.

The court ordered the accused to pay a fine of P500,000.
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