MANILA—Two Chinese nationals have been sentenced to life imprisonment and fined PHP2 million each for importing approximately 240 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, into the Philippines in 2020, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

The Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 116 issued the judgment on Aug. 25 against Jason Ang and James Soriano for violating Section 4, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, on the importation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals.

According to the DOJ, Ang and Soriano were recipients of a shipment declared as workbench tables from Malaysia that arrived at the Philippine Skylander Incorporated (PSI) International Cargo Terminal at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Complex in Pasay City in October 2020.

A Bureau of Customs (BOC) examination uncovered a suspicious substance concealed in 12 plastic tea bags inside the shipment. The substance was later positively identified as shabu.

Following the BOC report and a tip from a consignee who was supposed to deliver the shipment to Cabanatuan City, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted an entrapment operation.

The operation led to the arrest of the two Chinese nationals as they received the shipment containing the illegal drugs.

The court found that the prosecution had established beyond reasonable doubt the illegal importation of dangerous drugs, the conspiracy between the accused, and the integrity of the chain of custody in handling the seized drugs.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida welcomed the conviction and issued a warning against the illegal drug trade.

“May this serve as a warning to the world that the Philippines is no haven for illegal drugs, especially in this Bagong Pilipinas era where the rule of law prevails at all times,” Vida said.