A senior citizen, who was caught smoking a joint of weed or marijuana was charged yesterday for possession of illegal drugs before the Regional Trial Court.
Teodoro Ariola, 70, was charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act for using and possessing 11 hand-rolled joints each containing alleged marijuana fruiting tops with a total weight of 1.12 grams.
Ariola, who is a Barangay Tinago, Cebu City resident, was apprehended by a barangay tanod last July 12 at 4 p.m.
Barangay tanod Glenn Gulfan was manning traffic at S. Osmena Boulevard corner V. Sotto Street when a concerned citizen informed him of two men allegedly rolling marijuana joints at the back of the tailoring shop located nearby.
When Gulfan checked, he saw in plain view two men in the process of rolling “plenty” of marijuana joints. When he informed them that he was tanod, the two men tried to escape but Gulfan held on to Ariola while Ariola’s cohort escaped.
Gulfan said that Ariola was still holding a marijuana joint when he was arrested while another 10 pieces of marijuana joints were recovered from his possession.
He was informed by Gulfan of the offense he committed and apprised of his constitutional rights before he was brought to Police Station 3 in Legaspi Extension, Cebu City.
Yesterday, he was charged and bail was set at P200,000.