ONCE again, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) operatives were able to seize about P900 million worth of high-end luxury cars from a Taguig City warehouse during an operation on Wednesday.
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bien Rubio lauded these string of operations, the latest of which had the CIIS-MICP Chief Alvin Enciso and team apprehending 44 units of smuggled luxury cars, including Ferrari, Maserati, and Rolls Royce, among others.
“The BOC’s intelligence unit has always been on heightened alert against smuggling operations but I still have to commend this string of operations that led to already billions worth of smuggled luxury cars that these unscrupulous individuals, organizations, and underground businesses have carried to our shores,” he said.
According to CIIS Director Verne Enciso and MICP CIIS chief Alvin Enciso, the cars were found at Auto Vault Speed Shop at Levi Mariano Ave., Brgy. Ususan, Taguig City.
This is the third raid conducted by the CIIS on auto shops in Metro Manila selling luxury vehicles. The others were located in the cities of Parañaque, Pasay, and Makati.
CIIS-MICP agents went to the seller’s address to serve a Letter of Authority (LOA) to the shop owner or representative.
“They have a variety of high-end luxury cars—some are really high-end like the McLaren but they also have mid-tier cars. We seem to have a market for these, so some of these businesses and groups have realized the opportunity to profit from the interest these cars generate,” they explained.
Director Enciso disclosed that the team found two units of Ferrari 488, two units of Mercedes Benz C Class, and one unit each of the following: McLaren 720S, Rolls Royce Cullinan, Maserati Levante, Lamborghini Huracan, BMW M3, Dodge RAM, Ferrari 488, Ford Everest, Ford Mustang, GMC Yukon Denali, Honda Civic SIR, Honda S2000, BMW M2, Land Rover, Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography, Lexus LBX, Lexus LX570, BMW I4, Mazda Miata, Audi A1, Mercedes Benz AMG SLK, Mercedes Benz G Wagon Brabus, Mercedes Benz G63, Mercedes Benz GLE450, Mitsubishi Lancer, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Porsche 997 Carrera, Porsche 993 Turbo, Porsche 911 Turbo, Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Cayman, Porsche GT3, Porsche GT3 RS, Porsche GT3 Touring, Porsche Turbo, Toyota Seqouia, Toyota Corolla, Cross, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota Land Cruiser VX.R.
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said that these operations showcased the skills and training that the BOC agents undertake in order to stay true to their mandates.
He also asked the bureau agents to be more vigilant as smugglers continue to be creative with their ways to circumvent Philippine laws.
The exact year, models and other details of the smuggled motor vehicles will still be determined by a final inventory to be conducted by the assigned Customs examiners before witnesses, such as the CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), barangay officials, and the warehouse owner.
The owners, lessees, lessors, occupants, representatives, or any parties responsible for the warehouses were given 15 days from the receipt of the LOAs to submit the necessary documents proving that duties and taxes were paid correctly.
If found without proper documents, they will face charges in violation of Sections 1400, 1401 in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The BOC vows to go against smugglers and fight against any and all types of smuggling activities as it exercises its mandate in accordance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign.
