MAN GETS 37-YEAR TERM FOR DRUG POSSESSION

A 27-YEAR-OLD was convicted for keeping methampethamine hydrochloride
(shabu), dried marijuana leaves and shabu paraphernalia inside his house in
Catalunan Pequeno, Davao City last year.

In an eight-page decision, RTC Branch 9 Judge Renato Fuentes also ordered
Jessrile Osuyos to pay a total of P620,000 as fines to his three counts of
violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
of 2002.

Prosecution evidence showed that elements of the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA), barangay officials and some members of the media
conducted a search at the house of Osuyos in Catalunan Pequeno at around
12:25 a.m. on February 20, 2003.

They were armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Salvador Ibarreta of
RTC Branch 8.

As a result of the search, the police authorities were able to confiscate a
sachet of shabu weighing .4397 grams, four stalks dried marijuana leaves
weighing 2.1 grams and various shabu paraphernalia.

Osuyos denied the charges in court during his arraignment. He however went
into hiding and did not show up in all the scheduled hearings. He also
failed to attend the promulgation of his case last Tuesday, which prompted
the court to issue warrant of arrest against him.

The case was decided upon uncontroverted evidence since Osuyos did not
present his evidence for the defense.