DOJ files another criminal case vs nine individuals linked to P6.4-billion shabu shipment mess

Mark Taguba testifying at the Senate hearing on Monday, September 25, 2017, on the “tara” system in the Bureau of Customs (Eagle News Service)

(Eagle News) — The Department of Justice has filed another criminal case against the nine people linked to the P6.4-billion shabu shipment mess.

Charged for  transportation and delivery of dangerous drugs under Section 5 of Republic Act 9165 were self-confessed Customs fixer Mark Ruben Taguba II, Philippine Hongfei Logistics Group of Companies Inc. chairman Chen Ju Long, also known as Richard Tan or Richard Chen, Li Guang Feng, also known as Manny Li, and businessman Dong Yi Shen Xi, also known as Kenneth Dong.

Also charged were Eirene Mae Tatad, owner of EMT Trading, the consignee of the drug shipment; customs broker Teejay Marcellana; Taiwanese nationals Chen I-Min and Jhu Ming Jyun; Hongfei’s Chen Rong Huan; and three unidentified individuals.

The new case–with no recommended bail—was filed before the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court.

Earlier, the DOJ filed a drug importation case against the same individuals before the Manila Regional Trial court over the shabu shipment mess.

This was after the Valenzuela RTC dismissed the same case, citing a lack of jurisdiction.

The Valenzuela court said the case should have been filed in a Manila court since the crates containing the shabu arrived in a Manila port in May last year.

But prosecutors argued the drug importation was consummated only upon the discovery of the crates in a Valenzuela warehouse. Moira Encina, Eagle News Service