Ex-customs examiner nabbed for extortion

A dismissed Customs examiner was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation over the weekend, for alleged extortion.

Arrested by agents of the NBI’s Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division (AFCCD) was Maria Lucia Cruz, 39, a former Customs examiner assigned at Section 7 of the Manila International Container Port and a resident of 1871 Velasquez St., Tondo.

Investigation conducted by the NBI’s AFCCD showed that the suspect approached complainant Benita Ochoa, a garments importer and introduced herself as a Customs examiner.

Cruz told the victim that she was well connected with the Bureau of Customs and that she could facilitate the release of Ochoa’s container van, which was being held at the Customs yard.

Ochoa agreed to the arrangement as Cruz presented several alleged previous importation documents bearing her signature.

Last January, the suspect again approached the complainant and demanded a whopping P1.8 million in exchange for the release of the shipment. The victim agreed to pay the amount in several installments.

However, despite the payment, the shipment was still not released. Last Friday, Cruz again demanded an additional P50,000 which was later reduced to P20,000.

The suspect allegedly told the complainant to pay the additional amount or the garments shipment would never be released.

This prompted Ochoa to seek the assistance of the NBI which immediately prepared an entrapment.

At about 5:30 p.m., Ochoa was met by the suspect at the MICP where she handedP5,000 in marked bills bundled with pieces of newspaper cut to the size of peso bills.

Cruz is now detained at the NBI detention cell. Charges of robbery and extortion have been recommended by the NBI against her to the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office. – Mike Frialde