By ERMA R. EDERA
A Manila court sentenced a plumber to life imprisonment for selling 1 kilo of shabu in 2015.
In a decision released on October 10, 2018, Judge Emilio Legaspi III of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 13 convicted Geoffrey Saballe after finding him guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Aside from the prison term, Saballe was also fined R500,000.
He was arrested by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents during a buy-bust operation on Quirino Avenue corner Pedro Gil in Manila on May 28, 2015.
During the trial, Saballe insisted that he was just a plumber tasked to meet a certain Peter to provide plumbing services at Waltermart.
He claimed that prior to his arrest, a woman arrived in front of Waltermart and ordered him to drive the car at 11 a.m. on May 28.
But before driving the car, PDEA agents arrived at the place and collared him. He was found in possession of 1 kilo shabu.
Judge Legaspi noted that the suspect was not able to bring witnesses to prove his innocence, and his documents were insufficient.
Court records show that Saballe’s wife had claimed that the monthly salary of her husband was around R30,000 toR50,000.
Judge Legaspi ordered the commitment of the convicted drug pusher to New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
