MANILA, Aug. 14 (PNA) — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has secured the conviction of a high-value target of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”.
Ali Omar alias “Philip”, of Palanginan, Iba, Zambales, was arrested on May 8, 2009, by about 60 PDEA agents by virtue of a search warrant issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC).
He was accused of having “in his possession, control and custody nine hundred ninety five point fifty (995.50) grams of Ephedrine, a dangerous drug, a non-bailable offense.”
During trial, PDEA agents Roger Junio, Jr. and Walter Estanda testified about the operation leading to the arrest of Omar.
They said their team served the arrest warrant on Omar and that they found “a plastic self-sealing bag containing white crystalline substance which turned out later as positive for ephedrine.”
In a 28-page ruling, Angeles City RTC Branch 57 Judge Omar Viola said, “In the case at bar, the testimony of Junio and Estanda are clear and convincing” and that “all the elements of the crime for violation of Section 11 of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) are present.”
The Angeles City RTC sentenced Omar to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Php500,000.
DOJ Secretary Leila M. De Lima commended Assistant State Prosecutor Irwin Maraya for obtaining the conviction of Omar.
De Lima said “Omar’s conviction is a big boost in the government’s drive against illegal drugs. With his arrest, PDEA was able to squeeze information from him (Omar) about the extent of illegal drugs operation especially in Zambales province.” (PNA)