(Eagle News) — The Bureau of Customs on Thursday urged the Department of Justice to file smuggling charges against Mark Taguba and several others in connection with the P6.4-billion shabu mess.
In a memorandum submitted to the DOJ, the BOC noted that Taguba, businessman Kenneth Dong, Eirene May Tatad, Chinese businessman Chen Ju Long also known as Richard Tan, warehouse caretaker Fidel Anoche Dee, Teejay Marcellana, Manny Li and unidentified individuals whom the BOC believed to have been involved in the shabu shipment “clearly…can be held liable as co-conspirators, financiers, facilitators and or principals, either by direct participation, indispensable cooperation and or inducement.”
“Defendants are one in their denial that there was no connivance among themselves. However, it is clear that based on their overt acts, each defendant may be constituted as principal by indispensable cooperation,” the BOC said.
Earlier, the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court dismissed the case for importation of dangerous drugs against several of the respondents in the smuggling complaint, citing lack of jurisdiction.
The DOJ has appealed the decision.
