5 foreigners indicted for drug possession

CEBU, Philippines — Five foreigners are facing charges before the court for alleged possession of dangerous drugs and drugs paraphernalia.

Prosecutor II Leah Cruz held British nationals Jake Greevy, 32; Raymond Lewis Humphries, 28; Wayne Barry Mcleney, 28; and American nationals Jeremy Michael Stevenson, 28; and Breana Austin Ulrich, 28, for trial, after finding probable cause against them for  violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Cruz recommended P200,000 bail for illegal possession of dangerous drugs for each of the accused and P40,000 bail for the illegal possession of drugs paraphernalia.

In their joint-affidavit, Mabolo policemen alleged that while they conducted One Time, Big Time operation in Sitio San Vicente, Barangay Luz, Cebu City last May 31 at around 10:30 p.m., they were able to arrest Meljin Casimero Abad alias Robot for violations of illegal possession of drugs and drugs paraphernalia.

During the tactical interrogation, Abad told them that he got his source of shabu from a foreign national – a certain Jake – and who was staying at a condominium in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

Upon learning of the information, the Mabolo police conducted a follow-up operation at around 3 a.m. last June 1, but it turned out negative. Thus, they went back to their station.

However, at around 10:30 a.m. on June 1, Abad informed them that he received a tip from his friend that Jake was staying at a hotel in Barangay Kamputhaw.

Acted on the report, they immediately proceeded to the hotel and upon arrival thereat they coordinated with the hotel’s chief security and the management.

When the room occupied by a certain Jake was opened, they saw foreigners having a drug session, thus, they placed them under arrest at about 11:30 a.m.

Aside from drugs paraphernalia, police officers were able to recover 1.5706 grams of shabu from the possession of Greevy, 1.8252 grams of shabu from Humphries, 0.0400 gram of shabu from Mcleney, 0.1599 gram of marijuana leaves from Stevenson, and .00279 gram of shabu from the possession of Ulrich.

In an inquest proceeding, the five accused chose not to undergo preliminary investigation to answer the accusations filed against them.

They wanted to face the charges in court.

Cruz, after evaluation of the pieces of evidence, found sufficient ground to elevate the complaints to the court which was approved by City Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas. (FREEMAN)