MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police expressed “triumph” over the conviction of “shabu tiangge” (drug mini-market) operator Amin Imam Boratong on Thursday, saying the court decision was “the united voice of the Filipino nation rising up against the scourge that is illegal drugs,” Director General Jesus Verzosa said on Friday.

“This case should serve as a stern warning to all persons engaged in drug trafficking that the long arm of the law will always find its way to get to the criminals,” Verzosa said in a brief statement.

On Thursday, Judge Abraham Borreta of the Pasig regional trial court branch 154 found Boratong and his second wife Sheryl Molera Boratong guilty beyond reasonable doubt for jointly running the drug market.

The two violated Section 6 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the court said.

On February 2006, operatives of the police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF) raided the 2,000-square meter Mapayapa Compound in Pasig City, which was found to have around 40 methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu dens.

The compound is several meters away from the City Hall and the local police station.

On January, May, and October 2008, Judges Abraham Borreta and Librado Correa of Pasig RTC Branch 154 and Branch 164, respectively, meted different jail terms to some 300 drug offenders arrested during the raid on the so-called “shabu tiangge.”