DOJ files new drug raps on P6.4-B shabu haul in Valenzuela RTC

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed charges anew against nine persons, including Chinese businessman Richard Tan and customs broker Mark Taguba, before the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court (RTC) in connection with the PHP6.4-billion shipment of illegal drugs last year.

In an information dated Jan. 24, 2018 and signed by Assistant State Prosecutor Aristotle Reyes and Rodan Parrocha, the DOJ filed charges of ‘transportation and delivery of dangerous drugs’ defined and penalized under Section 5, in relation to Section 26A of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 before the Valenzuela RTC.

Those who have been named as accused are Chen Julong, alias Richard Tan or Richard Chen; Taguba; Li Guang Feng, alias Manny Li; Dong Yi Shen Xi, alias Kenneth Dong; Eirene Mae Tatad; Teejay Marcellana; Chen I-Min; Jhu Ming Jhun; and Chen Rong Huan.

No bail was recommended against the said respondents.

In a related development, the Manila RTC Branch 46 on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Taguba and seven others in connection with the PHP6.4-billion shabu shipment case.

Ordered arrested were Li Guang Feng alias Manny Li, Dong Yi Shen Xi alias Kenneth Dong, Eirene Mae Tatad, Teejan Marcellana, Chen I-Min, Jhu Ming Jhyun and Chen Rong Juan.

Chen Ju Long or Richard Tan/Chen was not included in the arrest order because of a pending motion to dismiss.

No bail was recommended for the accused.

The case was originally filed before the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court but was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) then refiled the case before the Manila Court.

The DOJ found probable cause to indict for importation of dangerous drugs under Section 4, in relation to Section 26 (a) of Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In finding probable cause against the above-named respondents for the importation of 602 kilograms of shabu, the panel determined that the combination of the individual participation of each of the respondents, either as shipper, consolidator, facilitator, broker, financier, consignee, or warehouse lessee – reveals a pattern of overt acts indicative of conspiracy to import into the country the dangerous drugs.

The panel recommended the filing of the corresponding criminal information for importation of dangerous drugs against the above named respondents with no bail recommended.

Under the case, the nine defendants are accused of having conspired in bringing into the country 602.279 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu.

The DOJ filed the case at the Valenzuela RTC last November 22, 2017 after a panel of prosecutors issued a resolution which found probable cause to indict them.

The case stemmed from the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) discovery of the shabu shipment at the Hong Fei Logistics warehouse in Valenzuela City on May 26, 2017 based on a tip from the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the China Customs.

The shabu shipment managed to enter the country through the BOC after being declared as kitchenware, footwear and moldings. (PNA)