PDEA files charges vs Jacky Co, 16 others over P1.8-B shabu shipment

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PDEA files charges vs Jacky Co, 16 others over P1.8-B shabu shipment
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino says the filing of charges 'will serve as a warning to those individuals, especially to government employees, who extend assistance in drug trafficking'

 

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday, May 31, filed criminal charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 17 people, including blacklisted Chinese Xu Zhijian alias Jacky Co, in connection with the P1.8-billion shabu shipment that authorities seized in Manila in March.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said in a statement that individuals violated Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. 

The others charged are:

  • Dong-An Dong
  • Julie Hao Gamboa
  • Fe Tamayosa
  •  Alvin Bautista
  • Jane Abello Castillo
  • Carlo Dale Zueta
  • Abraham G. Torecampo
  • Arwin P. Caparros
  • Leonardo S. Sucaldito
  • Mark Leo D. Magpayo
  • Brian Pabilona
  • Meldy Sayson
  • Rhea Tolosa
  • Edgardo Dominado
  • Jerry Siguenza
  • Debbie Joy Aceron

“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,” Aquino said. 

He said filing the appropriate charges against the respondents “will serve as a warning to those individuals, especially to government employees, who extend assistance in drug trafficking.”

PDEA filed the charges two days after Senator Panfilo Lacson delivered a privilege speech where he named “Jacky Co” as behind the P1.8-billion shabu shipment.  (READ: Lacson: Customs ‘still one hell of a mess’ despite anti-corruption drive

On March 22, a joint operation of the PDEA and teams from the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Coast Guard led to the seizure of 276,344.82 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, concealed in sacks of plastic resin,  at the Manila International Container Port- Container Freight Station 3. It was estimated to be worth P1,876,800.

The consignee of the illegal drugs shipment are Wealth Lotus Empire Corporation and Fortuneyield Cargo Services Corporation, both with addresses in Manila.

Authorities said they acted on information they received from their counterparts in Vietnam. – Rappler.com

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