Shabu. (RADYO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Regional Trial Court found guilty customs broker Mark Ruben Taguba for smuggling 602.2 kilograms of shabu worth P6.4 billion.
In a 37-page ruling promulgated on November 18, aside from Taguba, sentenced to life imprisonment are Eirene Mae Tatad and Dong Yi Shen Xi alias Kenneth Dong.
They were also ordered to pay a fine of P500,000.
They were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
“Every conviction for a crime should only be handed down after proof beyond reasonable doubt of the guilty of the accused for the crime charged has been adduced…In this case, the prosecution was able to discharge its burden of proving the guilty of accused Taguba, Tatad and Dong beyond reasonable doubt,” read the decision written by Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa.
The shabu shipment arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on May 16, 2017 and transferred to Hongfei Logistics owned by Chen in Valenzuela City on May 24, 2017.
The shipment was declared to contain a cutting board, footwear, kitchenware, and moulds.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) conducted a controlled delivery following a tip-off from the Anti-Smuggling Bureau (ASB) of the China Customs.
The illegal drugs were contained in 605 plastic bags stashed inside five metal cylinders that were each packaged in wooden crates.
Tatad was the owner of EMT Trading, which was the consignee of the shipment.
During the trial, Taguba admitted that he processed and facilitated the entry of the container van through the BOC.
“It is clear from the foregoing that Taguba played a central role in facilitating the importation of the illegal drugs. He processed the importation documents and used his logistics company Golden Logistics, Inc. to arrange for the transport of the container,” the decision read.
“Taguba’s direct involvement in processing and facilitating the shipment’s entry through the Bureau of Customs is a clear overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy,” it added.