THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported the discovery of P1.4 billion worth of imported luxury vehicles including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maybach, and Maserati, in separate warehouses located in the cities of Pasay and Parañaque.
Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) mounted an operation on Thursday, February 13, based on information and photos of allegedly smuggled luxury vehicles being sold online.
The operation aims to verify the legitimacy of importation of these vehicles and determine whether correct duties and taxes due were actually paid.
“This seizure signals a significant shift in the operational strategies of the BOC, indicating that we will soon witness a more aggressive and proactive approach in our enforcement efforts. It sends a message to all importers who think they’re already safe after their products have already exited the ports,” Viado said yesterday.
CIIS Director Verne Enciso confirmed that luxury vehicles were found inside establishments AC Che Gong Miao in Pasay City and TopCar Specialist and Trading Inc. in Parañaque City, where they served the Letters of Authority (LOAs) and Mission Orders (MOs) to the sellers’ representatives.
He said some of the brands found at the Pasay City warehouse were units of Ferrari LaFerrari, Lamborghini McLaren, Maserati, Rolls Royce, Mercedez Benz, Maybach, Range Rover, Bentley, Alphard, and Jeep Wrangler.
At the warehouse in Parañaque City, the team found Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Mansory, Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Maybach, and BMW.
“When we received the tip about these vehicles early this month, we immediately verified the information and processed the issuance of the appropriate orders to conduct the operation,” Enciso added.
The team sealed the warehouse doors and assigned duty personnel to secure the premises.
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said 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. (PNA)
