The Department of Justice (DOJ) scored a court conviction against a Chinese national who traded illegal drugs in the country.

On March 23, 2018, police authorities filed a complaint before the DOJ against Shi Jianjia who was arrested in a buy-bust operation in front of Wilcon Depot at Chino Roces St., Brgy. Pio Del Pilar, Makati City.

In coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Jianjia was arrested through the efforts of a policeman who posed as a buyer of illegal drugs. Forensic chemists and experts testified that a total of 2,815.5 grams of Metamphetamine Hydrochloride or "shabu" was seized from him.

The Chinese national was charged for violation of Sec. 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) before the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 63.

Upon arraignment, Jianjia denied the charges of illegal drugs and entered a plea of not guilty. He added that he was just framed-up and that his arrest was only a blunder in police operations. The Court rejected these defenses and imposed upon him the penalty of life imprisonment. It likewise ordered him to pay a fine of P500,000 in favor of the national government. It stressed that denial or alibi alone without being accompanied by documentary, testimonial or hard evidence will not contravene the "presumption of regularity" on the part of police operatives who made the arrest in pusuance of a legitimate function.

The Court further added that the evidene presented by authorities are solid on its own to prove the guilt of Jianjia and that all the requisites for a valid arrest and seizure in illegal drug cases such as the proper inventory of illegal drugs in the presence of proper authorities were all complied with.

All the recovered illegal drugs will be disposed of in accordance with law.

Senior State Prosecutor Juan Pedro C. Navera, Assistant State Prosecutor Josie Cristina Dugay and State Prosecutor Ethel Rea G. Suril successfully prosecuted the case which led to the conviction of Jianjia.