The Bureau of Customs on Friday filed smuggling charges against the importers of alleged illegal drugs and smuggled sugar before the Department of Justice.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the bureau filed criminal complaints against Vedasio Cabral Baraquel, owner of Vecaba Trading, the consignee of two magnetic lifters that contain P2.4 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu into the country.
The bureau first announced the 500 kilos of illegal drugs seized on Aug. 7 was worth at least P4.5 billion.
In a statement, Lapena said the shipment came from Malaysia and declared as door frames. However, upon inspection and 100 percent physical examination, it was found to actually contain two magnetic lifters containing 355 kilograms of shabu estimated to be worth around P2.4 billion.
The shipment arrived in the country on June 28, 2018 and was deemed abandoned after the consignee failed to file an entry document within 30 days from the date of discharge.
On the same day, the BOC also filed criminal charges against the officers of Red Star Rising Corporation for large-scale smuggling of sugar.
Lapeña said the Red Star Rising Corporation, the consignee of an abandoned shipment declared as packaging materials, kitchen utensils, and craft paper but were found to contain refined sugar.
Charged were the firm’s executives Dante Lunar, Leonardo Mallari, Richel Paranete Llanes, August Presillas Templado, and Bernie Abrina Rubia face charges of economic sabotage under Republic Act 10845 or the Large-Scale Agricultural Smuggling as Economic Sabotage Act.
The total estimated value, including duties and taxes, of the subject shipments of sugar, is P59,761,849.00.
“The bureau will be filing more criminal charges in the coming weeks against erring importers and brokers. The continuous filing of these cases is in line with my standing order to deter all forms of smuggling for the protection of the legitimate traders and the general public,” the BOC chief added.