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PRESS RELEASE # 152/19 DATE : May 31, 2019 AUTHORITY : AARON N. AQUINO Director General For more information, comments and suggestions please call: Director DERRICK ARNOLD C. CARREON, CESE, Chief, Public Information Office Tel. No. 929-3244, 927-9702 Loc.131; Cell phone: 09159111585

PDEA FILES CHARGES AGAINST CHINESE XU ZHI JIAN, 16 OTHERS INVOLVED IN IMPORTATION OF P1.8 B WORTH OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) today, May 31, 2019, filed charges against Chinese Xu Zhi Jian and 16 other personalities involved in the importation of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, worth 1.8 billion pesos.

PDEA Director General Aaron N Aquino said the charges were in violation of Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs), in relation to Section 31 (Additional Penalty if Offender is an Alien) of R.A. No. 9165, The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended by R.A. No. 10640, Section 4, in relation to Section 30 (Criminal Liability of Officers of Partnerships, Corporations, Associations or other Juridical Entities) of R.A. No. 9165 as amended by R.A. No. 10640 against the officers and directors of Wealth Lotus Empire Corporation and Fortuneyield Cargo Services.

Charged were Xu Zhi Jian Alias Jacky Co, Chinese National and with last known address at 7G, 88 Don Benito St, Hernandez, city; and Brother Dong – An Dong, whose present identity and address is unknown; Julie Hao Gamboa, of legal age and with address at Unit 108, The Centennial Building, No. 355 Escolta St., , ; Fe Tamayosa, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at Unit 108, The Centennial Building, No. 355 Escolta St., Binondo, Manila; Alvin Bautista, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at Unit 108, The Centennial Building, No. 355 Escolta St., Binondo, Manila; Jane Abello Castillo, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at Blk. 22 Lot 3 Boston Heights Subdivision, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite; Carlo Dale T. Zueta, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at 2165 Litex Road, Commonwealth Quezon, City; Abraham G. Torecampo of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at 17th Floor Tower 2, Eastwood Exelcior Condominium, Bagumbayan, Quezon City; Arwin P. Caparros, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at Block 2, Lot 4, Zabarte Avenue, Kaligayahan, Quezon City; Leonardo S. Sucaldito, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at 1347 Adarna Extension, Commonwealth, Quezon City; and Mark Leo D. Magpayo, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at 22G Executive Tower 1, Eastwood Executive Condominium, Bagumbayan, Quezon City; Brian Pabilona, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at Unit 888, Ground Floor B, The Centennial Building, No. 375 Escolata Street, Barangay 291, Zone 027, Binondo, Manila; Meldy Sayson, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at Unit 888, Ground Floor B, The Centennial Building, No. 375 Escolata Street, Barangay 291, Zone 027, Binondo, Manila; Rhea Tolosa, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and and with address at Unit 888, Ground Floor B, The Centennial Building, No. 375 Escolata Street, Barangay 291, Zone 027, Binondo, Manila; Edgardo Dominado, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and and with address at Unit 888, Ground Floor B, The Centennial Building, No. 375 Escolata Street, Barangay 291, Zone 027, Binondo, Manila; Jerry Siguenza, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and and with address at Unit 888, Ground Floor B, The Centennial Building, No. 375 Escolata Street, Barangay 291, Zone 027, Binondo, Manila; and Debbie Joy Aceron, of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with address at Unit 888, Ground Floor B, The Centennial Building, No. 375 Escolata Street, Barangay 291, Zone 027, Binondo, Manila.

On March 22, 2019, joint operatives of PDEA, RO-NCR, PDEA Seaport Interdiction Unit, PDEA Intelligence and Investigation Service, PDEA Special Enforcement Service - K9 Unit, PDEA Region IV-A, PDEA International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs Service, Bureau of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, MICP-Office of the District Collector, Philippine Coast Guard and CGSOF TASK Force Aduana, all under the direct supervision of Dir. III Joel B Plaza, Regional Director, PDEA RO-NCR, acting on an information from counterparts in Vietnam conducted an interdiction operation at Manila International Container Port – Container Freight Station 3 (MICP-CFS3), Manila, which resulted in the seizure of 276,344.82 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, concealed in sacks of plastic resin with an estimated value of P1,876,800,000.00.

Wealth Lotus Empire Corporation with address at Unit 305A Consuelo Building No. 929 Nicanor Reyes Street, Barangay 395, Sampaloc, Manila; and Fortuneyield Cargo Services Corporation with address at Unit 888 Ground Floor B, The Centennial Building, 375 ., Binondo, Manila are the consignee of the illegal drugs.

The PDEA, RO-NCR conducted backtracking investigation which revealed that the dangerous drugs were concealed with legally imported merchandise (plastic resins) on the chance that the former could escape detection.

“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.

“Filing the appropriate charges will serve as a warning to those individuals, especially to government employees, who extend assistance in drug trafficking,” Aquino said, adding that PDEA strengthen its collaboration with foreign counterparts with the end view of putting a stop to bulk smuggling of dangerous drugs.

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