A Benguet court has sentenced to life imprisonment two individuals caught in a buy-bust operation last April for selling shabu worth P3.4 million in Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet.
In a decision da-ted Aug. 25, Benguet Regional Trial Court Branch 8 Judge Isagani Calderon has imposed the penalty of life imprisonment to Maino Taher Abdul Madid and Sidec Abdul Madid.
The duo was found guilty for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 for sale and delivery of shabu. They were also ordered to pay a fine of P500,000 for violating the law.
Maino Taher Madid was also found guilty for possession of shabu weighing 398 grams.
He was imposed the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of P500,000.
Authorities were not able to establish if the two individuals are related.
The April 2 sting operation was the highest yield of shabu in a single buy-bust operation since January this year.
Meanwhile, on Aug. 3, authorities arrested a 20-year-old suspect after selling to them P1 million worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation in Km 3., Asin Road, Baguio City.
Joint operatives of the regional National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency seized the illegal drugs weighing 150 grams with a standard value of P1.02M.
The suspect, which is listed as a high-value individual, was identified as Yasser Rangaig Pangadapun alias “Orak”, a native of Marawi City and a resident of San Roque.
The authorities were supposed to conduct a buy-bust operation against another suspecton Asin Road but it was Pangadapun who arrived at the scene and transacted with the undercover agents. The authorities have been monitoring the suspect since February.
The suspect will be charged for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. – Ofelia C. Empian
