Two Taiwanese men charged over P195-M drug haul

Shabu. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed charges against two Taiwanese men arrested while reportedly transporting P195-million worth of illegal drugs on June 14.

Tsenc Shien Ming and Hiang Zheng Kai were charged before the Parañaque Regional Trial Court with violating provisions of Republic Act 9166, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Authorities said the two foreigners violated Section 5 (transportation of dangerous drugs) and Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) after more than 38 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, were seized from them.

The two, allegedly part of a drug syndicate operating in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, were arrested in a buy bust operation last June 14 on Macapagal Boulevard in Parañaque City.

During the preliminary investigation on June 20, the two through their counsel Nestor Ifurung insisted on answering the charges against them.

But three days later, another lawyer, Raul Bo, appeared and withdrew the request for preliminary investigation. Thus, the case was submitted for resolution.

The DOJ, in a resolution written by Assistant State Prosecutor Mary Jane Sytat and approved by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, said “considering that respondents were caught in the act of transporting shabu with a total net weight of 38,594.1 grams to an undetermined place in Cavite, there is more than probable cause to warrant their indictment.”

No bail was recommended for their temporary liberty./rga