By Jeffrey Damicog Government prosecutors have begun conducting ocular inspections of the magnetic lifters used to smuggle billions of pesos of illegal drugs last year. The office of Assistant State Prosecutor Mary Jane Sytat confirmed that she and members of her panel have begun conducting ocular inspections of the magnetic lifters. The panel of prosecutors which Sytat chairs proceeded Thursday morning to the warehouse in General Mariano Alvarez (GMA), Cavite where four magnetic lifters are kept. Sytat’s office said the panel will proceed this afternoon (March 8) to the Manila International Container Port (MICP) where two other magnetic lifters are kept. The ocular inspection at the MICP was earlier scheduled to have taken place last Monday but had to be postponed. The panel is currently conducting a preliminary investigation of the consolidated complaints of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) concerning the magnetic lifters issue. The case concerns the billions of pesos worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, which were discovered concealed inside MICP. The magnetic lifters in GMA were also believed to have contained more but were already found empty. In its January 23 complaint, the NBI accused former Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena, Vener Baquiran, Zsae Carrie de Guzman, John Mar Morales, and Benjamin Cajucom of having committed dereliction of duty in violation of the Revised Penal Code; violation of Section 3(e) of the Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act); and grave misconduct in violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees. The NBI complaint also named as respondents over 40 other persons including the three “core conspirators”, namely, former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban, former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Deputy Director for Administration Ismael Fajardo, and dismissed Police Sr. Supt. Eduardo Acierto for importation of illegal drugs in violation of Section 26 of RA 9165 (the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002); violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019; and for grave misconduct. While, the PDEA’s December 13, 2018 complaint accused 44 respondents including Guban, Fajardo and Acierto also of importation of dangerous drugs, attempt of conspiracy, and liability of a person violating any regulation issued by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB). They are also accused of violating Section 3(e) of RA 3019, and for obstruction of justice in violation Presidential Decree No. 1829, Section 1(c) and the Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). In another complaint filed on August 29, 2018, the PDEA accused Chan Yee Wah Albert, Zhang Quan, Vedasto Baraquel Jr., and Maria Lagrimas Catipan of possession of illegal drugs in violation of RA 9165.