Canadian drug suspect gets double life sentence

MANILA, Philippines — A Canadian linked to P9.5-billion worth of suspected shabu (crystal meth) intercepted in Batangas in April 2024 was meted a double life sentence forillegal drugs possession, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the PNP said Gordon O’Quinn was found guilty by the Tagaytay City Regional Trial Court Branch 135 of two counts of illegal possession of dangerous drugs under Republic Act No. 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act.

“Having been caught in flagrante delicto, there is prima facie evidence that he had animus possidendi, or intent to possess the drugs,” the PNP said, citing the court’s 19-page decision dated May 29.

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READ: Canadian linked to shabu bust in Alitagtag, Batangas nabbed

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O’Quinn was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined P500,000 for possessing 45 grams of shabu; as well as another life sentence and a P10-million fine for possessing 81.65 grams of cocaine, the PNP said.

“Intelligence monitoring linked him to the April 15, 2024 interdiction in Alitagtag, Batangas, where authorities seized around 1.4 tons of suspected shabu worth about P9.5 billion,” it added.

O’Quinn was arrested in a wellness resort in Tagaytay City on May 16, 2024.

He was caught with two sachets containing suspected shabu, a sachet containing suspected cocaine, tablets suspected to be illegal drugs and 14 identification cards bearing his photo but carrying different names.

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According to the PNP, the driver of the van carrying the P9.5-billion shabu identified several alleged associates, including a certain “James Toby Martin.”

“Subsequent investigation revealed that ‘James Toby Martin’ was allegedly a false identity used by O’Quinn,” the police explained.

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It also noted that O’Quinn is the subject of an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice for alleged drug-related offenses in the United States.

“The successful prosecution of a suspect linked to one of the country’s largest drug seizures sends a strong message that drug syndicates will be held accountable under the rule of law,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“We will continue working with our local and international partners to ensure that those involved in the illegal drug trade are brought before the courts and held accountable,” he added. /gsg

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