2 women face drug charges

TWO women, believed to be notorious drug pushers from Panabo City, are facing charges before the court in Davao City after they were found possessing illegal drugs at a checkpoint in Barangay Licanan, Lasang, Davao City on October 5, 2017.

Charged with violation of the Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, are Hope Jean Bernardo Sumatra and Mary Joy Aying Martin.

Prosecutor Yehlen Sanchez found probable cause to charge the accused based on a complaint filed by PO1 Ebenezer Ebdao, of the Bunawan Police Station. Ebdao was on duty as a team leader at the checkpoint with Task Force Davao.

In a two-page resolution dated October 13, an informant told the complainant about two women onboard a passenger van heading to Davao City from Panabo City were carrying illegal drugs.

According to the complainant, the informant described the two accused and said that around 6:30 p.m. the gray van arrived and all passengers were requested to disembark for routine inspection.

Ebdao saw the two accused based on the description given to him by the informant. When it was Sumatra's turn to be inspected, one plastic sachet fell on the ground when she overturned her right pocket. Sumatra picked the item.

Sumatra was restrained after authorities confirmed that the plastic sachet contained white crystalline substance. When it was Martin's turn to be inspected, a plastic sachet also fell on the

ground when she pulled her identification card.

Martin was also restrained after authorities confirmed that the plastic sachet contained white crystalline substance. The two accused were then endorsed to Bunawan Police Station.

Attached to the complaint is the chemistry report that proved that the items recovered from the two accused tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu. ICT