SirBlazinBowl
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AN official and two employees of the Bureau of Customs responsible for the seizure of a huge shipment of marijuana on the high seas have received "death threats" from a drug syndicate. The vessel MV YM Xingang came from Surbaya, Indonesia, and was bound for Hong Kong. Collector Gerry Macatangay, chief of the Pier and Inspection Division, said on Tuesday that he and his men, Joseph Romano and Alfon Hortilano, received the threats through text messages. "We broke the back of an international drug syndicate. It has been going on for decades, but it is only now that their shipment was caught," Macatangay told The Manila Times. Macatangay said the syndicate lost at least P150 million in the operation, including drugs thrown into the sea before the arresting team boarded the vessel.
"Most probably the seized marijuana came from local sources for distribution abroad. But the ship could also be carrying other banned items, like guns, in entering the country," he added. Macatangay, who headed last week's operation with a coast guard cutter, said they intercepted the ship on the breakwater near the mouth of the Pasig River. It was entering the Port of Manila, he added. His men seized a bagful of marijuana weighing 65 kilos, but four other bags were tossed overboard before his team could stop the ship. Arrested in the operation were Wilhem Papa, Estelito Tondo and Manuel Baruga. Twelve other Filipino crewmen and the German captain are under investigation.
Newshawk: SirBlazinBowl - 420Times.com
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times
Contact: newsboy1@manilatimes.net
Website:News | Opinion | Philippines | Asia | World
Author: William B. Depasupil
"Most probably the seized marijuana came from local sources for distribution abroad. But the ship could also be carrying other banned items, like guns, in entering the country," he added. Macatangay, who headed last week's operation with a coast guard cutter, said they intercepted the ship on the breakwater near the mouth of the Pasig River. It was entering the Port of Manila, he added. His men seized a bagful of marijuana weighing 65 kilos, but four other bags were tossed overboard before his team could stop the ship. Arrested in the operation were Wilhem Papa, Estelito Tondo and Manuel Baruga. Twelve other Filipino crewmen and the German captain are under investigation.
Newshawk: SirBlazinBowl - 420Times.com
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times
Contact: newsboy1@manilatimes.net
Website:News | Opinion | Philippines | Asia | World
Author: William B. Depasupil
