Local chamber says Mark Taguba is not a licensed customs broker

The Chamber of Customs Brokers Incorporated (CCBI) on Thursday clarified that Mark Taguba, who was sentenced by the court over an illegal drug shipment case, is not a licensed customs broker.

Taguba was one of those convicted in connection with a P6.4 billion shabu shipment from China in 2017 that was discovered inside five metal cylinders in Valenzuela City. The shipment of container MCLU6001881 arrived in the country in May 2017 and was declared as a package of cutting board, footwear, kitchenware, and molds.

“We would like to clarify that Mark Taguba is not a licensed customs broker and is not listed in the roster of licensed professionals under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), contrary to reports circulated by some major media outlets online,” CCBI said.

They also urged the public to carefully differentiate between licensed customs brokers and individuals who they claim are only pretending to be customs brokers.

In an 89-page consolidated decision, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 21 found Taguba and three others guilty of importation, receipt and facilitation, and misdeclaration under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years of imprisonment and directed to pay a fine of P50 million for each count, totaling P150 million.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News