72-YEAR OLD 'SHABU QUEEN' DRAWS 4-YEAR PRISON TERM

A 72-year-old widow, known as the "shabu queen" of this city, was
sentenced to four years' imprisonment for selling illegal drugs to an
undercover policeman in a buy-bust operation in 1999.

Judge Ray Alan Drilon convicted Pilar Buenafe Ruiz, who was accused of
possessing six grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in
violation of Republic Act 6425.

The court sentenced Ruiz to one year, one month and 11 days to four
years and two months.

This was the second instance the judge convicted Ruiz for selling
drugs. The first was in July when she was meted with six to 12 years
imprisonment.

Police records showed that Ruiz has 15 other pending drug
cases.

For the second case, Ruiz was accused of selling shabu to an
undercover policeman during a buy-bust operation on Aug. 26, 1999.

Police officer Rene Lanado of the police narcotics group told the
court that he bought P200 worth of shabu from Ruiz at Purok Seresa in
Barangay 27 on Aug. 26, 1999.

After receiving the illegal substance from Ruiz, he immediately
identified himself as a police officer and arrested her. When he
searched her pocket, he said he found 12 other small packs containing
shabu.

Ruiz claimed she was framed, but the judge did not give weight to her
alibi, saying it was a "shop-worn defense of those accused in drug
related cases."

"For this claim to prosper the defense must adduce clear and
convincing evidence . . .," the judge said.