Student ‘pusher’ busted; says he did for studies

MUNOZ CITY, Nueva Ecija - - Selling marijuana to support his college education.

This was the allegation of a student who was arrested for selling marijuana.

In his report, PSupt Ponciano Zafra identified the “student-pusher” as Gabriel Nixson Dee Bartolome, 22, of Villa Javier, Brgy. Bantug, who was apprehended in a buy-bust operation at his residence here.

Bartolome hails from Bayombong town in Nueva Vizcaya and is a second year student at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU).

Police said at least 2 CLSU students tipped them of Bartolome’s marijuana peddling.

Confiscated from Bartolome were a bundle of plastic-wrapped marijuana leaves and a full-grown marijuana planted in a pot, besides the sachet of dried marijuana fruiting which he sold to a police poseur buyer. 

Bartolome apparently told police that he was forced to sell marijuana to sustain his schooling.

“Though we would like to believe his (Bartolome’s) words, we have no choice but to arrest him for violating the anti-illegal drugs law”, said Zafra.

Zafra, who himself was a bus-washer in Cabanatuan City for 4 years to support his college education before entering the police academy, said, “marami namang legal na paraan para matustusan ang pag-aaral kolehiyo, hindi dpat gawing hanapbuhayang pinag babawalng batas lalona ang mga droga”.  

Bartolome was charged of selling illegal drugs, section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs act, which is a non-bailable offense.  --Nelson  Bolos