Raps filed vs importers of illegal drugs, sugar

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has filed criminal charges before the Department of Justice ( DoJ) against the importer of the two abandoned magnetic lifters that were found to contain 355 kilos of shabu worth P2.4 billion.

Vedasio Cabral Baraquel, the registered owner of importing firm Vecaba Trading, was charged with violating Section 1401 ( Unlawful Importation) in relation to Section 118 ( g) ( Prohibited Importation), pursuant to Section 4 and 5 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The shipment arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on June 28 and was declared abandoned after Vecaba Trading failed to file an entry document within the required 30day period from the date of discharge.

The BoC also filed unlawful importation and large- scale agricultural smuggling against the officers of Red Star Rising Corp. in connection with the firm’s abandoned shipment that was found to contain P60 million worth of sugar.

They were identified as Dante P. Lunar, Leonardo C. Mallari, Richel Paranete Llanes, August Presillas Templado and Bernie Abrina Rubia.

Red Star’s shipments were declared in the manifest as packaging materials, kitchen utensils and kraft paper.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration ( SRA) has also issued a certification that Red Star is not a registered trader and has no pending application as trader for the Crop Year 2018-2019.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said that the bureau would file more criminal charges in the coming weeks against erring importers and brokers.