DOJ orders NBI to investigate P1.8 billion shabu smuggling

May 31, 2019

The Department of Justice ( DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation ( NBI) to conduct its own investigation over the smuggled P1.8 billion worth of illegal drugs involving a Chinese.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra made the statement after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) filed before the DOJ on Friday criminal complaints against Xu Zhijian alias Jacky Co and several others involved in the illegal drug shipment which was discovered last March 22 at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

“The DOJ directs the NBI to conduct its own investigation of the subject illegal drug importation and, if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate complaint against the persons found responsible thereof," Guevarra said.

Guevarra also refuted the claims of Senator Panfilo Lacson who alleged that nothing was done to stop Co from leaving the country last April 3 despite being in the watchlist of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

“According to the consul general of China, a certain Xu Zhijian (also known as Jacky Co) has a pending case in China. However, he is not in the interpol watchlist, and this is certified by the Interpol NCB (National Central Bureau) Manila,” said Guevarra.

Guevarra said he was told by the Bureau of Immigration there were no records Co left the Philippines last April 3.

“The BI records show, however, that a certain Xu Zhijian left on 20 March 2019,” he said.

“As there was no existing hold-departure order against the said person, nor any Interpol alert, during that time, the BI allowed said person to depart,” he added. DMS