Customs fixer Mark Taguba (center), suspect in the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China, is escorted by National Bureau of Investigation agents for his arraignment at the Manila Regional Trial Court on February 9, 2018. (Danny Pata / GMA News File photo)
The man who supposedly facilitated the entry of P6.4-billion worth of dope in 2017 will have to spend the rest of his life behind bars while the people who commisioned him remain free from any legal liability.
In its 89-page decision, Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 21 found Customs facilitator Mark Taguba and three others guilty of smuggling over 600 kilos of shabu at the Manila International Container Port in May 2017.
The illegal drugs came from China.
Aside from Taguba, likewise convicted were Eirene Tatad, a consignee of the shipment; warehouseman Fidel Dee; and businessman Dong Yi Shen guilty of importation, receipt and facilitation, and misdeclaration under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years of imprisonment and directed to pay a fine of P50 million for each count, totaling to P150 million.
As per court records, the shipment arrived in the country in May 2017 and was declared as packages of cutting board, footwear, kitchenware, and moulds.
After successfully getting past the Bureau of Customs, the contraband was brought to a Valenzuela City-based warehouse.
The court said in its ruling that “the importation of the subject shipment container… which was found to contain about 602 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with an appraised value of P6.4 billion was accomplished with the indispensable participation of accused Dong, Taguba, Tatad, and Dee.” (ANGEL F. JOSE)
