The Regional Trial Court of Oriental Negros has found accused John Torres guilty beyond reasonable doubt of selling and possessing illegal drugs.

Judge Crescencio Rafael Tan Jr. of the RTC Branch 30 sentenced Torres to life imprisonment, and another 12 years and 1 day to 14 years maximum penalty for selling 0.04 gram shabu, and illegal possession of 0.08 gram of shabu, respectively, and to pay a fine of P900,000.

The poseur-buyer caught Torres in a buy-bust operation after he handled the marked money of P300 to the agent including the 0.04 gram shabu.

The accused, in his testimony, claimed that the police did not conduct the buy-bust operation during his arrest, but the court gave more credence to the testimonies of the arresting officers.

Torres was prosecuted and found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Article II, Republic Act No. 9165, or known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In another case, the court granted the petition for demurrer to evidence filed by accused Raul Olpos and ordered the dismissal of the case. The court also directed the City Jail Warden to release Olpos from jail.

Olpos was charged with violation of Section 11, Article II of RA. No. 9165 but the prosecution's evidence is indeed insufficient, the court said.

The court confiscated the 0.06 gram of shabu in favor of the government and for disposal in accordance with law.*RG

back to top