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. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart