NBI files criminal raps vs. 9 people over P6.4-B smuggled shabu

Government agents have slapped criminal complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against two traders and seven others linked to the P6.4 billion worth of illegal drugs from China that slipped Customs inspection.

Charged for importation of dangerous drugs under Section 4 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9165) are Taiwanese Chen I. Min and Jhu Ming Jyun; Chinese nationals Chen Ju Long (alias Richard Tan or Richard Chen, chairman of Philippine Hongfei Logistics Group of Companies) and Li Guang Feng; Fidel Anoche Dee (warehouse caretaker), businessman Dong Yi Shen (alias Kenneth Dong), private customs broker Mark Ruben Taguba II, customs broker Teejay Marcellana, and Eirene May Tatad, owner of EMT Trading, consignee of the drug shipment.

Li, Dong and Taguba, meanwhile, are facing a separate complaint for unauthorized customs broking or assisting importers and exporters meet requirements for their imports/exports without a license under Section 28 of Customs Brokers Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9280).

“Subjects, through their indispensable cooperation, caused the importation of five wooden crates from China,” stated the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday afternoon.

"Further, subjects Li, Dong, and Taguba are engaged in the practice of customs brokers for providing their services as consultants on the preparation of documents for the importation of Hongfei, notwithstanding that they are not registered as customs brokers with the Professional Regulation Commission."

The illegal shipment containing 602.279 kilos of shabu was discovered on May 26 when the BOC and NBI personnel raided the Hongfei Logistics warehouse in Valenzuela City, following receipt of a tip coming from their Chinese counterparts.

The Senate and House of Representatives are currently looking into the smuggling mess hounding the BOC, which is perceived to be one of the most corrupt agencies in government. —KG/KVD, GMA News