A resident of Dumaguete City was found guilty by the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 of illegal sale of marijuana and was meted life imprisonment, and another 12 years and one day to 14 years prison terms, Friday, at the Hall of Justice in barangay Piapi, Dumaguete City.

Found guilty beyond reasonable doubt by presiding Judge Rafael Crescencio Tan, Jr. was John Eric Labuan for illegal sale of 8.74 grams marijuana, and illegal possession of 7.08 grams of the same drugs. He was ordered to pay a fine of P900,000 for violation of Section 5 and 11, Article II, Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

On Sept. 29, 2004, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives caught Labuna in a buy-bust operation in Purok Gumamela, Sitio Canday-ong, Calindagan, Dumaguete City.

The agents confiscated four matchboxes, each containing dried marijuana fruiting tops, with a total net weight of 8.74 grams worth P200. The raid also yielded dangerous drugs taken from his possession, approximately 7.08 grams of marijuana fruiting tops, court records showed.

Labuan was charged with illegal sale and possession of dangerous drugs seized after a search made on him, the court said.

It however also said that in servicing his sentence, Labuan shall be credited with the full time of his preventive imprisonment.*RG

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