Customs broker duo nabbed for ‘extortion’

Two alleged extortionists targeting a local freight forwarder were arrested by operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the National Bureau of Investigation–Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division on Tuesday in Ermita, Manila.

The suspects were presented by the NBI in a press conference on Wednesday.

In its report, the BoC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services–Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) identified the individuals as Customs broker Wyeth Lara Navales and her sister, Leila Lara Navales, who were caught in an entrapment operation at Maku Coffee in Ermita.

The two allegedly attempted to extort Kenji Otsuka of Otsuka Freight Forwarders Co., Ltd. by demanding an additional P1.9 million, supposedly as “grease money” for the BoC.

BoC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso said the swift response of the BoC and the NBI was crucial to the Navaleses’ arrest, which took place just one day after Otsuka filed a complaint.

“The complainant was given only until 3 June to produce an additional P1.9 million on top of the P500,000 previously paid for Otsuka’s shipment. Even though the complaint was only filed on 2 June, we needed to act fast to conduct the entrapment operation because there was a so-called deadline from the suspects,” Enciso said.

Citing the complaint, Deputy Commissioner for the Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said Otsuka had already paid Wyeth P500,000 as an “all-inclusive engagement fee” that covered the broker’s fee as well as 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 — Otsuka — pays an additional P1.9 million,” Uy added.

The broker allegedly claimed the additional amount would serve as “grease money” for various offices involved in releasing Otsuka’s shipment.

Wyeth also issued an "ultimatum," stating that if the money was not delivered by 3 June, the shipment would be subjected to a Warrant of Seizure and Detention.

While BoC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio lamented how the Navaleses victimized Otsuka, he welcomed the arrest, saying it could finally shed light on how brokers have been name-dropping BoC officers to extort money from stakeholders.

“This has been a long-time modus among brokers. They would extort money from these companies and individuals, claiming that the money would be used as ‘padulas' (grease) but then pocketing that money. These brokers have villainized the agency for their gain,” Rubio said.

Navales and her sister will face charges of Robbery with Violence or Intimidation of Persons by Way of Extortion under the Revised Penal Code.