French fugitive wanted over drug-related crimes arrested in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — A French man wanted in his homeland for crimes related to drugs was arrested in Pampanga, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Monday.

BI Fugitive Search Unit chief Bobby Raquepo identified the fugitive as 39-year-old Julien Barbier who was arrested on January 29 in Mabalacat City in Pampanga following an official communication received from French authorities.

Raquepo said Barbier was being monitored by the Interpol since 2018 for unlawful transport, retention, offer, sale, acquisition or use of drugs, which is in violation of the French Penal Code.

The Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris issued a warrant of arrest against Barbier in August 2017 while the same court issued a European warrant of arrest against the French national in September 2017, said Raquepo.

Raquepo also shared that they received information on Barbier’s links to an illegal bank fraud syndicate that operated in Pampanga and Cebu.

“Upon receipt of information about his crimes, the Commissioner immediately issued a Mission Order to effect his arrest. His presence in the country is a risk to public safety and security,” Raquepo said in a statement.

BI said Barbier is temporarily in the physical custody of Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG CFU) Angeles pending the results of his RT-PCR testing.

Raquepo said Barbier likewise offered the arresting agents money for him to be released.

“He, along with two Filipino cohorts, offered P1.5 million in exchange for his liberty. We immediately informed the Commissioner about this, and he instructed us to coordinate with the CIDG to be able to arrest the two others for this crime,” Raquepo said.

Following the incident, the two Filipino cohorts were also arrested for corruption of public officials.

“We are relentless in our drive to eliminate corruption.  Let this serve as a warning to anyone considering attempting to bribe our employees,” BI commissioner Jaime Morente said.

“Never offer bribes, as I have instructed BI personnel to ensure the arrest of whomever would offer money in exchange for letting arrested foreigners go scot free,” he added.

JE