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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PDEA: Female drug pusher gets life for 5 kilos of shabu in Cebu buy-bust

PDEA: Female drug pusher gets life for 5 kilos of shabu in Cebu buy-bust

Published Aug 5, 2026 04:00 pm
A Cebu City court sentenced a female drug trafficker to life imprisonment after she yielded almost five kilos of shabu in a buy-bust two years ago, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Tuesday, Aug 4.
In a 22-page decision, the Cebu City Branch 57 Regional Trial Court, found Maria Christine Gonzales Abarquez alias “Tinang’’ guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the illegal sale of 996.30 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, and for possessing 3,991.26 grams of the same dangerous drug.
The court also ordered Abarquez to pay a fine of P500,000 for each offense.
On October 11, 2024, the PDEA Regional Office 7 nabbed Abarquez during a buy-bust operation conducted along Cokaliong Street, Barangay Carreta in Cebu City.
PDEA Director General Isagani R. Nerez welcomed the court's decision, emphasizing that the successful prosecution of drug offenders remains the ultimate measure of success in the government's campaign against illegal drugs.
“The arrest of drug offenders is only the beginning. The true yardstick of victory in drug law enforcement is the successful prosecution of cases and seeing drug offenders brought to justice. This conviction demonstrates that through diligent investigation, airtight case build-up, and strong collaboration among law enforcement and the prosecution, justice will prevail,’’ Nerez said.
Likewise, Nerez thanked the prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) “for their unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that drug offenders are held accountable.
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