THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced the arrest of an individual engaged in the selling of Agarwood, a forest product categorized as endangered, in Quezon City.
NBI Officer-in-Charge Director Eric Distor identified the arrested suspect as Rafael Fabia.
Distor said the operation stemmed from an intelligence report received by the NBI – Environmental Crime Division (NBI-EnCD) regarding a group of individuals in North Fairview, Quezon City allegedly trading and in possession of “Agarwood”.
NBI-EnCD agents conducted a surveillance where the informant gave operatives the suspect’s contact number to establish communication for a possible buy-bust operation.
On August 25, 2020, NBI-EnCD operatives contacted the suspect and agreed to buy Agarwood worth Php 40,000.00.
On the same day, NBI-ENCD together with DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) and DENR-National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) proceeded to the area for an entrapment operation.
During the operation, NBI and DENR operatives seized 6.46 kilograms of Agarwood chips with an estimated market value of Php 1,055,557.54.
Suspect was presented before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City for inquest proceedings for violation of Section 77 (formerly Section 68) of P.D. 705, as amended by E.O. 277 and R.A. 7161, otherwise known as “Wildlife Forestry Code of the Philippines; and violation of Section 27 (e) and (f) of R.A. 9147 otherwise known as “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act”.
