By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Customs authorities discovered about PHP900 million worth of luxury vehicles in another raid at a warehouse in Taguig City.
In a statement Thursday, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bien Rubio noted that this latest operation by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) on Wednesday yielded 44 smuggled luxury cars, including Ferrari, Maserati, and Rolls Royce.
“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, the cars were found at Auto Vault Speed Shop along Levi Mariano Avenue in Barangay Ususan, where they served the 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,” he said.
Enciso disclosed that the team found two units of Ferrari 488, two units of Mercedes Benz C Class, and one unit each of the 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, and Toyota Land Cruiser VX.R.
The owners, lessees, lessors, occupants, representatives, or any parties responsible for the warehouses were given 15 days from receiving 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 and 1401 in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy added that the exact year models and other details of the smuggled motor vehicles will be determined by a final inventory to be conducted by the assigned Customs examiners before witnesses, such as the CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service, the Philippine Coast Guard, barangay officials, and the warehouse owner.
This is the CIIS’ third raid on auto shops selling luxury vehicles, following recent operations in the cities of Parañaque and Pasay on Feb. 13 and in Makati City on Feb. 14. (PNA)
