by Benjamin Pulta/PNA
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) filed six criminal cases before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday against suspected smuggler and drug traffickers.
In a statement on the charges, the BOC named the first respondent as Agustin Esguerra, owner of consignee Pulilan Motors Truck Rebuilding Center and his licensed customs broker, Tomas James Y. delos Santos. The two, the BOC said, allegedly smuggled a Bentley Continental GT car and a used Hino truck.
The second case involves fake Rolex watches that arrived at the Clark International Airport from Singapore, which were reportedly found in the possession of Gianmarco Macaluso.
Also charged before the DOJ for drug importations were importers Jeffrey Samson and Edgar Valencia and their broker, Jenilie Gacutan, for importing 913 grams of shabu declared as baby clothes and 2,092 grams of shabu as “8 Sauce”, respectively.
Other packages were consigned to Marcelino Rotea, which were declared as used shirts but found to actually contain 3.165 kg. of marijuana in six plastic packs, and to Mario Jamoroa of Navotas City, declared as “1 Pasta Sauce”.
The goods involved in the six cases were valued at PHP46,419,561.
Meanwhile, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the BOC is doing its best to curb the entry of illegal drugs and other contraband into the country.
“We have tightened our watch for illegal drugs and other contraband at the country’s various ports of entry, coupled with our strengthened coordination with other enforcement agencies, such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police,” Guerrero said.
“To tightly secure our borders, I have instructed all front-line customs personnel to be doubly vigilant for attempts to smuggle drugs and other contraband through the Bureau of Customs,” he added.
