SAN JOSE, Antique – A man on probation for an illegal drug offense was arrested in an anti-drug buy-bust operation of the police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency here.
A poseur buyer was able to purchase from suspect Garry Garcenila of Barangay Malaiba here two sachets of suspected shabu for P2,500, police said.
The buy-bust was staged on Del Pilar Street, Barangay 8 on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 21.
Eight more sachets of suspected shabu were recovered and P4,000 cash, police said.
According to Major Benjo Clarite of the San Jose police station, Garcenila was arrested in 2009 for drug pushing and years after his conviction secured a probation.
Garcenila faces new charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and may possibly be charged, too for violating his probation.
Probation is a privilege granted by the court to a person convicted of a criminal offense to remain in the community instead of actually going to prison.
When probation is granted, the probationer must report to the probation officer at least once a month, and not commit another offense.
What happens to a probationer if these conditions of probation are violated?
The probation officer investigates the alleged violation and if it is established, a report is submitted to the court.
Depending on the nature and seriousness of the violation, there can be modification of the conditions or revocation of probation by the judge.
There is also the possibility of arrest including criminal prosecution of probationer in the event of commission of another offense.
The revocation proceeding is summary. If the court finds the probationer guilty of serious violation of the conditions of probation, the offender may be ordered to serve the original sentence imposed./PN
