MANILA, Philippines (Updated 10:14 p.m.) — Authorities on Monday arrested Kenneth Dong, the alleged middleman in the P6.4-billion shabu shipment that slipped the Bureau of Customs in May 2017.
National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin confirmed Dong’s, whose real name is Dong Yi Shen, arrest in a text message to Philstar.com.
In a separate statement, the NBI said Dong was arrested by its operatives at 2 p.m. in Muntinlupa City. The arrest was for a warrant over violation of Section 4 in relation to Section 26 (a) of Republic Act 9165 or the Importation of Dangerous Drugs.
Dong is believed to be the middleman of businessman Richard Tan, the owner of Hong Fei Logistics warehouse in Valenzuela where the shipment was found.
He is facing drug charges before Valenzuela and Manila courts over the said shipment.
Others who are facing charges in the case are Eirene Mae Tatad, owner of EMT Trading, the reported consignee of the shipment; customs fixer Mark Ruben Taguba II; Li Guang Fe alias “Manny Li”; customs broker Teejay Marcellana; Che I-Min; Jhu Ming Jyun; Chen Rong Huan; and three still unidentified persons.
Taguba and Tatad surrendered to authorities in February 2018. Taguba was committed to a Philippine National Police facility, while Tatad was sent to a Manila jail.
“Bodegero” Fidel Anoche Dee was also linked to the smuggling case. He was hired to watch over the shipment of what was supposedly kitchenware. He has been in jail for more than a year.
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