DOJ summons Chinese over P1.8-B drug shipment

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has summoned Chinese businessman Xu Zhijian, alias Jacky Co, in connection with the P1.8-billion shabu shipment seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) last March.

In a privilege speech last May 29, Sen. Panfilo Lacson named Co as the one behind the shabu shipment. The senator questioned how Co managed to slip in and out of the country despite being included in the Interpol watchlist.

The investigating panel chaired by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Clarisa Kuong has ordered Co to appear in preliminary investigation hearings set on July 5 and 10.

Co was ordered to answer the charges and submit his counter-affidavit to the complaint for importation of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last May 31.

Kuong will be joined by Assistant State Prosecutors Rodan Parrocha and Noel Antay Jr. in the panel.

Records showed that joint government operatives led by the PDEA seized the shipment last March 22 at the MICP.

The operation resulted in the confiscation of 276,344.82 grams of shabu with a street value of P1,876,800,000, concealed in sacks of plastic resin, which were legally imported.