In signaling the crackdown on corrupt practices within the customs system, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday arrested two customs brokers for allegedly extorting P2 million from a local freight forwarder. The operation, conducted jointly by the BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services at the Manila International Container Port and the National Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-AOTCD), led to the swift arrest of Wyeth Lara Navales and her sister Leila Lara Navales in Ermita, Manila.
The suspects allegedly demanded P1.9 million in “grease money” from Kenji Otsuka, owner of Otsuka Freight Forwarders Co. Ltd., under threat that his shipment would be subjected to a warrant of seizure and detention if payment was not made. Otsuka had already paid P500,000 as an all-inclusive fee covering duties and broker services.
BOC officials emphasized the policy implications of the case, framing it as part of broader reforms to eliminate systemic abuse by unscrupulous brokers. Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio said the case exposes a longstanding scheme where brokers exploit clients by falsely invoking the names of BOC personnel to extract bribes. “These brokers have villainized the agency for their own gain,” Rubio said, expressing hope that the arrests would help restore trust in the agency’s integrity.
The Navales sisters will face extortion charges under the Revised Penal Code and are undergoing inquest proceedings.
