PDEA wins first drug-linked money laundering case
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has secured the conviction of a drug suspect accused of money laundering in Cebu City, marking PDEA’s first successful prosecution of a locally initiated drug-related financial crime case in Central Visayas.
In the ruling of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 11, Marie-Den Sarol Barbecho was found guilty of violating Sections 4(a) and 4(b) of Republic Act 10365, the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001.
Barbecho was sentenced to one year of imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of P500,000 for each case.
PDEA director general Isagani Nerez said the landmark ruling is a breakthrough in the government’s efforts to cripple the economic backbone of narcotics syndicates.
He added that prosecutors were able to prove that Barbecho, who had no job, transferred P1.73 million to several people.
The court ruled that the suspect processed the monetary transfers even when she was fully aware that the money represented proceeds from illegal drug activities.
- Latest
- Trending
