Drug peddler gets life term

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QCRTC) yesterday meted life imprisonment to a 42-year-old man who was arrested for selling 100 grams of shabu in a buy-bust operation almost two years ago.

Judge Jaime Salazar of QCRTC Branch 103 likewise ordered Oliver Renato Edano, of 16 South Lawin, Philam Homes, West Avenue, Quezon City, to pay a fine of P500,000.

On the other hand, Salazar acquitted his co-accused, Gonofredo Siochi, 41, as the court found insufficient evidence to pin him for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Court records showed that Edano was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by operatives of the Central Police District at the parking lot of a fastfood chain along West Avenue in August 2002.

Siochi was likewise arrested for driving Edano to the area.

Court records, however, disclosed that Siochi, who was engaged in buying and selling of motorcycles, was with Edano because he was buying motorcycle spare parts from Edano.

Edano joined Siochi in his van to go home after the transaction. However, when they passed by a fastfood restaurant, Edano told him he would just be checking on an acquaintance inside the place. — Katherine Adraneda