Justice department files criminal charges on 9 people over shabu smuggling case

January 31, 2018

The Department of Justice filed criminal charges on Wednesday before the Valenzuela City Regional Trial Court against nine people, including businessman Richard Tan and customs broker Mark Taguba for their alleged involvement in the of P6.4 billion shipment of shabu last year.

This came after a panel led by  Asst. State Prosecutors Aristotle Reyes and Rodan Parrocha found probable cause to indict Tan, Taguba for committing the crime of transportation and delivery of dangerous drugs penalized under the Dangerous Drugs Law.

Also charged with the same offense before the Valenzuela City RTC were Chen Julong, alias Richard Tan or Richard Chen; Taguba; Li Guang Feng, alias Manny Li; Dong Yi Shen Xi, alias Kenneth Dong; Eirene Mae Tatad; Teejay Marcellana; Chen I-Min; Jhu Ming Jhun; and Chen Rong Huan. No bail was recommended against the accused.

The Manila City Regional Trial Court, Branch 46, ordered the arrest of Taguba and seven others, in connection with the smuggling of P6.4-billion worth of illegal drugs.

The RTC also ordered the arrest of Li Guang Feng alias Manny Li, Dong Yi Shen Xi alias Kenneth Dong, Eirene Mae Tatad, Teejan Marcellana, Chen I-Min, Jhu Ming Jhyun and Chen Rong Juan.

Chen Ju Long or Richard Tan was not included in the arrest order because of a pending motion to dismiss. No bail was recommended for the accused.

The arrest order came after the DOJ re-filed before the Manila City court a case lodged before the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court, which the latter court dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

The case stemmed from the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) discovery of the shabu shipment at the Hong Fei Logistics warehouse in Valenzuela City on May 26, 2017 based on a tip from the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the China Customs.

The shabu shipment managed to enter the country through the BOC after being declared as kitchenware, footwear and moldings. DMS