DOJ refiles drug charges vs Richard Tan

Richard Tan, aka Chen Ju Long and Richard Chen . INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has refiled the criminal drug importation charges against Chinese businessman Richard Tan and several others tagged in the P6.4-billion shabu shipment last year.

Cases 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, has been filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court after the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court dismissed the complaint for lack of jurisdiction.

Tan or Chen Ju Long’s co-accused include Li Guang Feng, alias Manny Li; Dong Yi Shen Xi, alias Kenneth Dong; Mark Ruben Taguba II; Eirene Mae Tatad; Teejay Marcellana; Chen I-Min; Jhu Ming Jhun and Chen Rong Huan.

Judge Maria Nena Santos of the Valenzuela RTC Branch 171 on Dec. 12, 2017 dismissed the case as she pointed out that the crime of importation of dangerous drugs was already consummated when the drug shipment arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on May 15, 2017.

The DOJ filed a 17-page motion for reconsideration which was also dismissed by the Valenzuela court.

The 602.279 kilograms of shabu worth P6.4 billion was discovered inside metal cylinders at the Hongfei Warehouse in Valenzuela City last May 26, 2017.

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