Alleged P6.4 B shabu shipment middleman Kenneth Dong pleads not guilty

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-Chinese businessman Dong Yi Shen or Kenneth Dong on Monday pleaded not guilty to the illegal drug charges against him.

Dong, the alleged middlemen,  along with several others, were implicated in the importation of P6.4 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu from mainland China in 2017.

Dong entered his plea during his arraignment before Branch 46 of the Manila Regional Trial Court

The court also set the pre-trial of the case on Tuesday.

Pre-trial is conducted before the start of the trial proper for some clarification on points of law and facts.

Dong was arrested this month at the Katarungan Village in Muntinlupa City, a residential area for employees of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

READ:  NBI arrests Kenneth Dong

Six other individuals accused in the case are still at large  – Chen Ju Long aka Richard Tan, Li Guang Feng aka Manny Li, Teejay Marcellana, Chen I-Min, Jhu Ming Jyun and Chen Rong Huan.

The Department of Justice said the accused conspired with each other to commit the offense, adding that Tan acted as the shipper and consolidator of the cargoes, Li and Dong as facilitators of the packing list, Customs broker Mark Taguba, importer Eirene Mae Tatad and Marcellana as facilitator, consignee and broker of the importation documents filed and processed at the BOC while Chen, Min and Jhu Ming Yun acted as lessee of the warehouse in Valenzuela City where the contraband was stored. / gsg