Fixer, importer denied bail in P6.4-B shabu case

MANILA, Philippines — Self-confessed customs fixer Mark Ruben Taguba will have to remain in detention after a Manila court denied him bail over the illegal importation of P6.4 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu from China.

In a resolution dated March 11, Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa said the Department of Justice prosecutors were able to establish “strong evidence” that Taguba and his consignee Eirene Mae Tatad conspired to import 502 kilos of shabu in cylinders and printer rolls that were unloaded at the Manila port from China in May 2017.

Taguba and Tatad, who are detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, will face trial for the non-bailable offense of drug importation while in detention.

The court noted that Taguba admitted that the shipment was loaded onto a truck of Golden Strike Logistics, a company he owned. 

Tatad admitted allowing her trading firm EMT Trading be used for a minimal fee as a dummy consignee of the shipment.

Of seven Chinese and Taiwanese businessmen linked to the shipment, only Kenneth Dong has been arrested.