Drug trafficker gests life sentence

MANILA, Philippines—A 38-year-old man drug trafficker has been sentenced to life imprisonment, a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency official said Friday.

Sammy Yusop, arrested by PDEA agents through a “controlled delivery operation,” was found “guilty beyond reasonable doubt for transporting 1.5 kilograms of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride),” said PDEA Director General Jose Gutierrez Jr.

A P500,000 fine was also imposed.

Yusop was arrested by operatives of PDEA Regional Office 12 after he claimed from a courier service a 20-inch color television set containing illegal drugs consigned to his name last November 21, 2011 in Cagayan de Oro.

“Controlled delivery operation is usually conducted when authorities are alerted of illegal shipment and the transportation of the same is allowed under surveillance to be able to track down, identify and apprehend the intended receiver,” he said.

Gutierrez Jr. also commended Judge Arthur Abundiente of Branch 25, of the Regional Trial Court of Cagayan de Oro City for the speedy resolution of the drug case.

He said that it only took Abundiente a little over two months to decide on the case “in favor of the government and the people of the Philippines.”