PASIG SUSPECTS FACE LETHAL INJECTION

SOME of the suspects arrested when police raided the shabu colony in
Pasig City face the death penalty if found guilty of using minors as
drug couriers.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chair Anselmo S. Avenido, Jr. said
some of the 377 people detained last week face penalties ranging from
death to life imprisonment and a minimum of six months
rehabilitation.

Director Mareclo Ele, Jr., commander of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special
Operations Task Force said 167 of those arrested tested positive for
use of either shabu or marijuana and were charged with drug use, 129
for visiting a drug den, 28 for maintenance of a drug den, 28 for
possession of illegal drugs, 23 for constructive possession of drug
paraphernalia, and two for drug pushing. Two others were charged with
illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Avenido said RA 9165 is particularly harsh on maintainers of drug
dens. Those found guilty of the offense face life imprisonment or death.

On the other hand, possession of drug paraphernalia carries a jail
term of six months and one day to four years and a fine ranging from
P10,000 to P50,000.

Those found selling shabu face the penalty of life imprisonment or
death and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.

Avenido said drug pushers who use minors or mentally incapacitated
individuals as runners, couriers and messengers also face death penalty.