MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a Chinese businessman who was involved in the P6.4-billion shabu shipment that was slipped to the country in 2017.
NBI deputy director Ferdinand Lavin said Kenneth Dong was arrested by their Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division at around 2 p.m. on Monday at a village in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Dong is one of those listed in the warrant of arrest issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa for their violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9165).
Dong, who is facing a separate P11.4-million tax evasion case before the Bureau of Internal Revenue, allegedly served as the middleman who helped facilitate the transfer of the drugs to a warehouse in Valenzuela.
Dong was also said to be close to presidential son Paolo Duterte, based on their photos posted on Dong’s social media account, but he later clarified that they were mere “acquaintances.”
Other personalities in the arrest warrant were Mark Taguba, Li Guang Feng, alias Manny Li, Teejan Marcellana, Chen I-Min, Jhu Ming Jhyun, Chen Rong Juan, and Eirene Mae Tatad.
The case stemmed from the Customs discovery of the shabu shipment at the Hong Fei Logistics warehouse in Valenzuela City on May 26, 2017 based on a tip from the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the China Customs.
The 604-kilogram shabu shipment is one of the biggest hauls of smuggled drugs in the country, and was a subject of a lengthy congressional probe which also led to the resignation of former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon./PN
