Lee charged with 3 counts of smuggling

Suspected big-time smuggler Samuel Lee has been charged with three counts of technical smuggling before the Manila Regional Trial Court after the Department of Justice (DOJ) found probable cause to indict him.

Lee and his lawyers wasted no time and posted a P360,000 cash bond for his temporary release.

The suspect, who was nabbed by police at the airport last Sunday, also faces charges of corruption of a public official for trying to bribe arresting officers.   

Lee is accused of using dummy corporations in the technical smuggling of plastic resins used in the manufacture of plastic furniture.

The suspect allegedly facilitated the shipment of 62 container vans of plastic resin.        

Prior to the Lee’s posting of bail, a Quezon City prosecutor reversed her earlier order to release the suspected smuggler Samuel Lee.

Prosecutor Maria Garcia Casaclang clarified that the charges should have been "corruption of a public officer and not bribery."

"The complaining witness should have filed corruption of a public officer and not direct bribery as charged because Lee offered money to a public officer," she explained. "It is respectfully recommended that a case of corruption of a public official be filed in court instead."

Bail has been recommended at P16,000.

Casaclang earlier said she found no valid case for arrest due to insufficient evidence and ordered Lee’s release for further investigation.

She noted that "further investigation of the case would have given police the opportunity to strengthen their case against Lee."

Casaclang’s earlier recommendation was approved by Prosecutor Meynardo Bautista Jr.

Both Casaclang and Bautista signed the reversal of the earlier recommendation.

Lee posted bail to the charges of corruption against a public officer, but he could still could not be released because the Department of Justice had yet to rule on the smugglling case against him.

"Well people commit mistakes, but we are given opportunity to correct them. In the spirit of orderly administration of justice we always seek mutual cooperation with the other pillars of the justice system," Superintendent Benjamin de los Santos, chief of the CIDG’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Division said.

BOC officers axed

Meanwhile, Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales ordered yesterday the relief of several officials at Port of Manila allegedly involved in the smuggling of a shipment of plastic resin believed to be owned by Lee.

Morales said he has also ordered the bureau’s Legal Services Office to investigate the foiled smuggling and determine if administrative or criminal charges could be filed against BOC officers, including a principal examiner.

Morales refused to identify the officials whose signatures appeared in the importation documents of the shipment, saying he still has to wait for recommendation of the LSO before signing the relief order.

"But we will have them immediately relieved as soon as we get the reply from the legal department. We cannot tolerate the lapses in their respective duties," he said in an interview.

Malacañang maintained yesterday it would step up the campaign against smugglers and their contacts at the BOC.

At the same time, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye commended members CIDG for the arrest of Lee.

"The PNP-CIDG’s ongoing campaign against smugglers has the complete support of the President and members of the Cabinet, particularly the members of the economic team," Bunye said. "Customs officials and private citizens who are involved in smuggling activities will not be spared in this campaign." – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Edu Punay, Paolo Romero