Pubdate: Tue, 25 Nov 2003
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2003 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
Note:  also listed for feedback
Author: Raquel C. Bagnol

ILLEGAL DRUG DEALER GETS DEATH, JAIL TERM

THE death penalty, plus another 24 years imprisonment and a fine of 
P7,450,000 was handed to a drug dealer in Digos City, Davao del Sur, after 
he was found guilty of possessing shabu weighing 70.7916 grams and 4.9 
grams marijuana seeds in February.

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 9 Judge Adoracion Avisado, in a 19-page 
decision issued Friday, convicted Joel Jairal based on three separate 
information filed against him.

Avisado ruled that the testimonies of the prosecution are strong and 
overwhelming, while there is no evidence to support Jairal's claim, except 
for his denial.

Court records show that at around 2:30 p.m. on February 25, police raided 
Jairal's rented house and found him with another man.

The raiding team recovered one big cellophane and another three big sachets 
containing a total of 70.7961 grams of shabu, another sachet containing 4.9 
grams marijuana seeds, P1,000 cash believed to be proceeds from the sale of 
shabu and various shabu paraphernalia.

Jairal claimed on that afternoon, four armed policemen barged in his rented 
house and ordered him to lie flat on the floor.

He claimed a certain SPO1 Bienvenido Furog took his necklace, watch and rings.

He was already handcuffed when barangay officials and the media arrived 
five minutes later, he said. He also claimed it was only then when the 
search warrant was shown to him.

Jairal denied being engaged in drug activities and claimed it was his first 
time to see shabu in court. But Jairal's urine examination proved him 
positive of shabu and marijuana use.

He was sentenced to death penalty and a fine of P7 million for shabu 
possession, 20 years imprisonment and a fine of P400,000 for marijuana 
possession, and another four years and a fine of P50,000 for possession of 
shabu paraphernalia.

Jairal was the fifth person in Davao City to be meted the death penalty 
since the implementation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs 
Act of 2002 in July.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart