2 Customs brokers nabbed for alleged extortion
Authorities arrested two Customs brokers in Ermita, Manila for allegedly engaging in extortion targeting a local freight forwarder.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the suspects allegedly attempted to extort the victim by demanding an additional P1.9 million 'greasy money' for various offices that would issue the company's shipment from being on hold.
The suspects were arrested Wednesday, a day after the freight forwarder company filed a complaint.
'It was to my understanding that the complainant was given only until June 3 to produce an additional P1.9 million on top of the P500,000 that was already previously paid for Otsuka's shipment. Even though the complaint was only filed on June 2, we needed to act fast in just a day to conduct the entrapment operation because there was a so-called deadline from the suspects,' BOC Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Verne Enciso said.
According to the BOC, the company already paid one of the suspects P500,000 for an 'all-inclusive engagement fee' that includes the broker's fee and customs duties and taxes.
'But upon arrival of the shipment, this certain Wyeth allegedly told the complainant that the shipment was on hold and would be subjected to a Warrant of Seizure and Detention unless the complainant, this Otsuka, pays an additional P1.9 million,' Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said.
One of the suspects also said the shipment would be subject to a warrant of seizure and detention if the company failed to pay the additional fee by June 3.
The suspects will face charges of robbery with violence or intimidation of persons by way of extortion under the Revised Penal Code.
They were brought to the National Bureau of Investigation for booking procedures and will undergo inquest proceedings. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
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