By Benjamin Pulta/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — A prosecution panel has been assigned for the preliminary investigation on the complaints filed against alleged Chinese drug lord Jacky Co and others implicated in the smuggling of PHP1.8 billion worth of illegal drugs into the country.
Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva named the panel chaired by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Clarisa Kuong with Assistant State Prosecutors Rodan Parrocha and Noel Antay Jr. as members.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last May 31 named Xu Zhi Jian alias Jacky Co and 16 others in the charges for violation of Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs), in relation to Section 31 (Additional Penalty if Offender is an Alien) of Republic Act.A. No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended by R.A. No. 10640.
Aside from Co, likewise charged are Dong An Dong, Julie Hao Gamboa, Fe Tamayosa, Alvin Bautista, Jane Abello Castillo, Carlo Dale T. Zueta, Abraham G. Torrecampo, Arwin P. Caparros, Leonardo S. Sucaldito, and Mark Leo D. Magpayo, Brian Pabilona, Meldy Sayson, Rhea Tolosa, Edgardo Dominado, Jerry Siguenza, and Debbie Joy Aceron.
The officers and directors of Wealth Lotus Empire Corporation and Fortuneyield Cargo Services are also accused of importation of narcotics.
Acting on a tip from their counterparts from Vietnam, local authorities conducted an interdiction operation at Manila International Container Port–Container Freight Station 3 (MICP-CFS3).
The operation resulted in the confiscation of 276 kilograms of shabu valued at PHP1.876 billion.
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