WHAT WENT BEFORE: P6.4-B shabu smuggling

On May 26 last year, agents of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) Intelligence and Investigation Service, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided warehouses in Valenzuela City and seized 602.2 kilograms of “shabu” (crystal meth).

The drug shipment, which had been declared as kitchenware, footwear and moldings, entered the country through the BOC’s “express lane” on May 23.

On Sept. 18, drug charges were brought by the PDEA against resigned Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and several other officials of the BOC.

The PDEA accused Faeldon and his officers of conspiring to import illegal drugs and protecting drug traffickers, in violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, or Republic Act No. 9165.

The agency also accused the BOC officials of obstructing justice after “harboring, concealing or facilitating the escape” of those behind the shabu shipment, negligence and tolerance and corruption.

Congressional hearings were held on the shabu shipment. The Senate blue ribbon committee and the House dangerous drugs committee had recommended the filing of charges against BOC officials, including Faeldon and his erstwhile chief intelligence officer, Neil Anthony Estrella.

In November, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed charges of drug importation against Customs fixer Mark Taguba II, Chen Ju Long, alias Richard Tan and Richard Chen; Cebu-based businessman Kenneth Dong, Eirene Mae Tatad, Teejay Marcellana, Chen Min, Jhu Ming Jhun and Chen Rong Huan.

The DOJ, however, exonerated Faeldon and Estrella, as well as Customs officials Joel Pinawin, Oliver Valiente, Jeleena Magsuci, Philip Maronilla, Alexandra Ventura, Randolph Cabansag, Dennis Maniego, Dennis Cabildo and John Edillor.

“The panel dismisses the charges against them for [the] failure of the PDEA to state with clarity the acts or omission supposedly committed by the BOC respondents that would constitute violation of the offense charged,” the DOJ prosecutors said.

The resolution, signed by Assistant State Prosecutors Aristotle Reyes and Rodan Parrocha was dated Nov. 17, but was filed before the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court on Nov. 22.

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