A woman was found guilty of drug possession and was sentenced to suffer up to 25 years in prison.
Crisilda Miñoza, 49, of sitio Dita barangay Pulangbato, was guilty of violating Section 11, Article II of the Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, for having in her possession seven packs of shabu.
Miñoza was arrested when her house was raided by the elements of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau two years ago. Miñoza denied owning the seized packs of shabu weighing 7.35 grams, claiming that the house subject of the raid was not hers but of her father.
However, Regional Trial Court Judge Gabriel Ingles dismissed Miñoza’s defense for failure to present documentary evidence that she did not really occupy the house.
The court also took notice of the unusual reaction of the accused during the raid when she cried. According to the court, this is an indication that she was afraid that the police will find evidence against her.
Miñoza claimed that the evidence allegedly recovered during the raid was planted because the police only recovered a pack of cigarette.
But the court said the testimonies of the arresting officers were straightforward. The court also did not find any ill-motive on the part of the police. On top of the 25 years imprisonment, Ingles also ordered Miñoza to pay a fine of P400,000.
Meanwhile, a suspected drug user was likewise found guilty for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Joji Moga Desalago was sentenced to suffer two years of maximum imprisonment for having in his possession three rolled tissue paper, two rolled aluminum tinfoil and one improvised glass tube tooter.
He was arrested on November 24, 2006 at the interior part of barangay Duljo-Fatima by members of the Cebu City Police Office who were dispatched to verify a reported drug transaction in the area.
According to the responding policemen, they noticed Desalago throwing suspicious objects upon seeing them. Upon verification, the police found out that he was throwing drug paraphernalia, prompting them to place him under arrest. — Fred P. Languido/LPM