PDEA clears businessmen after probe finds no illegal substance in shipment

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has cleared two businessmen who had been questioned when a shipment of hygienic products they ordered from China initially tested positive for liquid marijuana. 

According to PDEA, businessmen Frederick Juan and Leonardo Gabalfin were questioned on the suspicion that there were illegal substances laced in the liquid soap and toothpaste products bought through an online transaction.

The products, bearing the logo of the Department of Education, were confiscated at the Clark Airport in Pampanga.

Juan and Gabalfin had said that they did not know that the products contained marijuana.

A post-operation report that was recently released, however, showed that a chemical analysis yielded negative results and that neither dangerous drugs nor control precursors and essential chemicals were found.

PDEA Provincial officer Vidal Bacolod also issued a certification in September 2020 reiterating that the shipment did not contain any illegal substance.

Bacolod also said that the agency has already cleared Juan and that “no criminal charge was filed against him.”

Both Juan and Gabalfin have denied conducting illegal activity.

They said that the importation was a legitimate transaction and the business of the company, adding that a sample has already tested negative. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News