MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday filed a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against a Chinese national and 16 other persons involved in the importation of shabu worth PHP1.8 billion.
Facing charges for importing dangerous drugs are Chinese national Xu Zhi Jian alias Jacky Co, Brother Dong – An Dong, whose present identity and address is unknown; and the officers and directors of Wealth Lotus Empire Corp. and Fortuneyield Cargo Services.
They were charged for violating Section 4 (importation of dangerous drugs), in relation to Section 31 (additional penalty if offender is an alien) of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended by RA 10640 and Section 4, in relation to Section 30 (criminal liability of officers of partnerships, corporations, associations or other juridical entities) of RA 9165, as amended by RA 10640.
The case stemmed from an operation that resulted in the seizure of 276,344.82 grams of shabu, concealed in sacks of plastic resin, with an estimated value of PHP1.876 billion.
Wealth Lotus Empire Corp. with address at Unit 305A Consuelo Building No. 929 Nicanor Reyes St., Barangay 395, Sampaloc, Manila; and Fortuneyield Cargo Services Corp. with address at Unit 888 Ground Floor B, The Centennial Building, 375 Escolta St., Binondo, Manila, were the consignees of the illegal drugs.
The PDEA – National Capital Region conducted a backtracking investigation, which revealed that the dangerous drugs were concealed in legally imported merchandise (plastic resins) to escape detection.
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said the documents and affidavits would show that the acts committed by the respondents have a vital connection to the chain of conspiracy that, without such acts, the unlawful importation would be unsuccessful.
“Filing the appropriate charges will serve as a warning to those individuals, especially to government employees, who extend assistance in drug trafficking,” Aquino said, adding that PDEA strengthens its collaboration with foreign counterparts with the end view of putting a stop to the bulk smuggling of dangerous drugs. –PNA
