The Department of Justice has scheduled for next month the preliminary investigation on the criminal complaints filed against alleged drug lord Xu Zhijian alias ‘Jacky Co’ and others in connection with the smuggling of P1.8 billion worth of illegal drugs.
The panel of prosecutors under Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Clarisa Kuong has subpoenaed the parties to the hearings on the case on July 5 and 10 and ordered them to submit counter-affidavits.
Xu and 16 others are facing a complaint filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency last May 31 for violation of Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs), in relation to Section 31 (Additional Penalty if Offender is an Alien) of Republic Act. No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended by Republic Act 10640.
The case stemmed from an operation at the Manila International Container Port–Container Freight Station 3 (MICP-CFS3) last March 22 that yielded 276,344.82 grams of shabu concealed in sacks of plastic resin with an estimated worth of P1.876 billion.
Named co-respondents are Dong An Dong, Julie Hao Gamboa, Fe Tamayosa, Alvin Bautista, Jane Abello Castillo, Carlo Dale T. Zueta, Abraham G. Torrecampo, Arwin P. Caparros, Leonardo S. Sucaldito, and Mark Leo D. Magpayo, Brian Pabilona, Meldy Sayson, Rhea Tolosa, Edgardo Dominado, Jerry Siguenza, and Debbie Joy Aceron, whom PDEA accused of conspiring together in order to bring the contraband into the country.
The officers and directors of Wealth Lotus Empire Corporation and Fortune yield Cargo Services are also accused of importation of illegal drugs as these firms were listed as the consignees of the shipment.
In a privilege speech last month, Senator Panfilo Lacson tagged Co as the Chinese national behind the illegal drug shipment.