THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested on Monday a businessman alleged to be the mediator in the smuggling of P6.4-billion worth of shabu which authorities discovered in Valenzuela City in May 2017.
The NBI on Wednesday presented before the media Dong Yi Shen, also known as Kenneth Dong, two days after his arrest in Muntinlupa City by the NBI-Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division, following the January 2018 warrant of arrest issued by Manila Regional Trial Court judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa.
Mr. Dong is charged by the Department of Justice in January 2018 for violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Also named respondents were former customs broker Mark Ruben G. Taguba II, Eirene Mae A. Tatad, Chen Ju Long (who also goes by the name Richard Tan), Li Guang Feng (who also goes by Manny Li), Tee Jay Marcellana, Chen I-Min, Jhu Ming Jhun, and Chen Rong Juan.
Mr. Dong said he had planned to surrender to authorities after the Chinese New Year on Feb. 5 but the NBI arrested him before that. He also maintained his innocence on the shabu importation.
“Actually kasi ganito po iyan. Si Mr. Mark Taguba, siya nag-offer ng customs brokerage service, and then nagpapahatid sa akin ng mga Chinese clients. So in short, binibigay ko sa kanya yung mga Chinese clients through Mr. Li. And beyond Mr. Li, yung mga kausap naman niya hindi ko naman kilala. Kasi I understand most of the business transaction(s) (are) compartmentalized,” he said.
(Actually it is like this. It’s Mr. Mark Taguba who offers customs brokerage service and then (I bring him) the Chinese clients. So in short, I bring him the Chinese clients through Mr. Li. And beyond Mr. Li, I don’t know the clients he’s talking to.)
On May 28, 2017, the Bureau of Customs seized 604 kilos of shabu at the Hong Fei Logistics warehouse in Valenzuela City.
Besides Mr. Dong, only Mr. Taguba and Ms. Tatad are in the custody of authorities. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
