Life term for drug dealer

A Manila judge sentenced to life imprisonment yesterday a Taiwanese national nabbed by anti-narcotics agents during a buy bust operation in Manila two years ago.

Judge Ramon Makasiar of Regional Trial Court Branch 35 found the accused Hsieh Tien Chang guilty of selling some 455.8 grams of shabu to an undercover agent of the Anti-Narcotics Group based in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Apart from reclusion perpetua, Makasiar also ordered Chang to pay a fine of P5 million.

Court records showed that Chang was arrested in front of the Aloha Hotel on Quirino Avenue in Malate, Manila on Nov. 9, 2001 shortly after selling some P250,000 worth of shabu to poseur-buyer Police Officer 1 Ruel Cubian.

Through an asset, anti-narcotics police learned about the illegal activities of Chang, prompting them to set up a buy-bust operation.

Shortly after handing over the illegal drugs and receiving marked money, agents apprehended Chang.

Chang had denied the charges, saying he came from a friend’s place in Quezon City, where they had played billiards. Chang said he was on his way to another friend when policemen arrested him even for no reason at all.

But Makasiar gave greater weight to the testimonies of arresting policemen over the denials of Chang, which he said were weak and self-serving.

"In a long line of cases, the Supreme Court has consistently adhered to its pronouncement that the defense of denial, police extortion and planted evidence are the usual standard ploys of the accused in drugs to escape liability," Makasiar said in a 25-page verdict. – Cecille Suerte Felipe