Ex-convict gets 15 years for possession of shabu

The court yesterday sentenced an ex-convict to 15 years imprisonment and ordered him to pay a P300,000 fine for possessing shabu five years ago.

Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras ruled that George Morre, who works as a “kargador” at Carbon Market, has been found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violating Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165.

Police officer Alejandro Lopez testified in court that Morre, said to be a well known snatcher, was first arrested for carrying a bladed weapon at the Unit III in Carbon Market on November 4, 2002.

The policemen responded to the place after one of their assets reported about the presence of the accused.

While monitoring the activities of the suspect, the policemen saw him getting something from his pocket which fell to the ground, prompting him to bend to pick it back.

At this juncture, the policemen saw the handle of a bladed weapon tucked at the suspect’s waist that prompted them to place him under arrest.

Lopez claimed that aside from the bladed weapon, Morre also yielded a pack of shabu, which Morre strongly denied. But the court gave more credence to the testimonies of the policemen.

Morre admitted that he was already convicted for robbery, but said the pack of shabu did not came from him.

“It is the observation of this Court that the prosecution was able to prove the foregoing elements of illegal possession of dangerous drugs,” Peras said in his eight-page decision. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM