MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has arrested a 19-year-old man suspected of involvement in the “tara” collection.
In a release on Monday, the BOC identified the suspect as Xavier Daniele Gabriel, 19.
The initial report from the agency showed that Gabriel was wearing an expired dilapidated BOC ID when arrested last May 20 by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Seized from the suspect were a large amount of cash, deposit slips, and four passbooks placed inside an envelope – all under the name of a certain Renly Tiñana, alias “Empoy.”
Tiñana was believed to be an employee at the Port of Manila.
The Intelligence Division of the BOC said Gabriel acted as Tiñana’s courier tasked to handle and deliver cash for bank deposits.
The camp of Tiñana denied BOC’s allegations but refused to give further statement following the advise of lawyers. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
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