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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Licensed customs broker, her sister arrested for 'extortion' in release of OFW's 'balikbayan boxes' -- NBI

Licensed customs broker, her sister arrested for 'extortion' in release of OFW's 'balikbayan boxes' -- NBI

Published Jun 4, 2025 05:57 pm

A female licensed customs broker and her sister have been arrested for attempting to extort P1.9 million from a businessman for the release of “balikbayan” boxes of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) containing about P600,000 worth of goods.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime B. Santiago presented before the media on Wednesday, June 4, the two arrested women as licensed customs broker Wyeth Navalles and her sister, Leila.

Santiago said the two women were arrested last Tuesday, June 3, during an entrapment operation conducted at a coffee shop in Manila by operatives of the NBI Organized and Transnational Crimes Division (NBI-OTCD) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

He said the operation stemmed from the complaint of businessman Kenji Ochakosan.

“‘Nung malaman namin ‘yung reklamo n’ya at ang kanyang kargamento ay about balikbayan boxes lalo kaming naging interested (When we learned that the complaint concerns Balikbayan boxes we became more interested),” he also said.

Santiago assured that “iimbestigahan namin mabuti ‘yan kung gaano kalawak na ‘yung sindikatong ‘yan na ‘yung mga binibiktima ay ‘yung mga padala ng ating mga OFWs (We will conduct a thorough investigation on the extent of this syndicate that has been victimizing OFWs).”

Aside from the NBI, Santigo said the BOC is also conducting its own investigation to determine if there are BOC officials and personnel involved.

“The Complainant reported that he had hired Subject Wyeth, a licensed Customs Broker, to handle his importation process in the Philippines,” the NBI said.  

“They agreed on an all-inclusive fee of P500,000,” it also said.  

Though P220,938 has been paid for customs duties and taxes, the NBI learned from the complainant that “Subject Wyeth claimed that the shipment was held due to a misdeclaration.”

“Subject Wyeth demanded an additional P1,900,000 in ‘grease money,’ which was to be distributed among various Bureau of Customs (BOC) divisions, as well as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), to facilitate the release of the Complainant's importation,” it said.

Because of the demand, the complainant sought the assistance of the NBI in arresting the customs broker, it added.

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