2 drug peddlers meted life imprisonment

CEBU, Philippines - Two men are to spend the rest of their lives in jail after the Regional Trial Court meted them life imprisonment for possession and selling of illegal drugs after they were arrested in a buy bust operation two years ago.

Spart Martinez Monsanto and Archie Verallo Casilac were arrested on May 1, 2007 for possession of 0.32 grams of shabu and were each charged with violations of Section 5 and Section 11 of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

PO3 Victor Ayuman said he and his team were at the Lucky 7 Supermarket along Magallanes Street for a buy bust operation against a certain Jennifer Mercader, a certain Eching and a certain Amang.

The day before the buy bust operation, they conducted a test buy but Mercader told them that there was no shabu yet available. 

In the morning of May 1, Mercader allegedly called them and told them that the shabu has already arrived and they again agreed to meet at Lucky 7 Supermarket.

In the area, Ayuman said he saw Mercader and the two accused in a bench waiting for them. Mercader was able to elude arrest. — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB (THE FREEMAN)