PDEA files raps vs ex-top PDEA exec, 43 others for P11B shabu smuggle

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal complaints against former PDEA Deputy Director General Ismael Fajardo and 43 others for the smuggling of multi-billion worth of shabu inside magnetic lifters that were later discovered at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and in Cavite.

Also included in the complaint is former Customs Intelligence Agent Jimmy Guban, former Senior Superintendent Eduardo Acierto, Police Inspector Lito Pirote and Joseph Dimayuga.

Fajardo and the others are facing complaints for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act particularly for violating Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs) Section 5 in relation to Section 26 (Attempt or Conspiracy), Section 32 (Liability to a Person Violating any Regulation Issued by the Board)  in relation to Section 30 (Criminal Liability of Officers). They are also facing complaints for Obstruction of Justice and violation of the Anti-Graft Law.

Also included in the complaint are Chan Yee Wah, Emily Daprosa Luquingan, Vedastro Cabral Baraquel, Jr., Maria Lagrimas Abelgas Catipan, Alex B. Padlan, Zhauq Quan/Zhang Quan, Gorgonio V. Necessario, Myra C. Tan, Terence L. Uytingban, Avelino S. Tendera and entities SN Logistics and Ben Line Agencies Philippines for the magnetic lifters found in MICP.

PDEA also filed complaints against entities and personalities involved in the smuggling of the magnetic lifters found in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite. Named in the complaint are:  He Zhong Consultancy Co. Inc. (Nonito Estorninos, Jr., Li Jie); Red Day Machinery Parts Corporation (Ramon Tuyay, John Leric Olavario, Maribeth Olavario, Minerva Verso, and Chung-Chun Hsu); Yida Equipment Crane Limited Company (Le Thi Thuy, Luu Thi Thu Huong, Kan Yi Hong); Dong Trieu Trading and Import/Export Service Trading Company Limited (Du Quoc Duong); Chen Wei Cheng, Ping Cheung Fung, Roy Wang, John Doe, Leynard Doe, All Systems Logistic, Inc. (Roy Baldon); SMYD Trading (Marina De la Cruz Signapan, Alexander Dames, Katrina Cuasay, Miguella Santos, as real owner), Atty. Zsae Carrie De Guzman, Head, X-Ray Inspection Project; Benjamin Cajucom, Shift Supervisor, X-Ray Inspection Project; Manuel Martinez, Operator, X-Ray Inspection Project; Dolores Domingo, Appraiser; alias Zhou Quan; Chen Wei Cheng; alias Cory Yibos and several John Does.

PDEA chief Aaron Aquino shows the complaint filed against former PDEA Deputy Director General Ismael Fajardo, 43 others. Photo by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said the complaint stemmed from various hearings conducted both at the House of Representatives and the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

“PDEA assures the public that all the resources will be tapped by this agency to ensure the successful prosecution of all these cases,” Aquino said at a press conference.

Of the 44, Aquino said Fajardo, Acierto and Dimayuga are at large.

Aquino earlier said the last time he was able to communicate with Fajardo was more than a month ago.

The magnetic lifters were discovered first in the MICP last August. Then, similar magnetic lifters were found abandoned at a warehouse in Unit 4, Lot 1-8, CRS Subdivision, Barangay F. Reyes, General Mariano Alvarez (GMA), Cavite which were believed to have contained illegal drugs weighing about 1,618 kilograms with an estimated market value of P11,002,400,000.

The illegal drugs hidden in the magnetic lifters were believed to be one of the largest seizure of shabu by the Philippine government and was believed to have been already circulating in the country.

Last August, the PDEA already filed criminal complaint against four individuals involved in the smuggling of magnetic lifters at the MICP.

READ: PDEA files rap at DOJ for ‘shabu’ found in magnetic lifters

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has conducted separate investigations on the shabu smuggling cases. /muf