DOJ files new drug case vs Taguba, et al. in P6.4B shabu shipment

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed another drug case against Customs fixer Mark Taguba, and several others, including businessmen Richard Chen and Kenneth Dong before a Valenzuela City court in connection with the shipment of P6.4 billion “shabu” from China that slipped past the Bureau of Customs (BoC) in May 2017.

Based on the DOJ’s announcement on Wednesday, this new case filed against Taguba, Chen, ang Dong, among others, was for the transportation and delivery of illegal drugs since after the release of the 602.279-kilogram shabu from the BoC, the shipment was delivered to Hongfei Warehouse in Valenzuela City.

Also named respondents in the charge sheet were Li Guang Feng or Manny Li; Eirene Mae A. Tatad, owner of EMT Trading, which is the registered consignee of the controversial shipment; Teejay A. Marcellana; Chen I-Min; Jhu Ming Jyun ; Chen Rong Huan; and some John and Jane Does.

All were specifically accused of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act mainly for conspiracy in the transportation and delivery of the multi-billion pesos worth of illegal drugs.

Last year, a Valenzuela court dismissed the case filed by DOJ against Taguba, et al. over importation of illegal drugs under RA 9165, particularly on the importation of illegal drugs filed by the DOJ due to lack of jurisdiction.

Valenzuela Regional Trial Court Branch 171 Presiding Judge Maria Nena Santos explained that the crime of importation of dangerous drugs has already been consummated since the drug shipment arrived at the Manila International Container Port on May 15, 2017. The DOJ re-filed the case before a court in the city of Manila.    /kga