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P20M worth of imported luxury vehicles seized at Manila International Container Port
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Containers from China supposedly containing sundry items yielded P60 million worth of smuggled cigarettes
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) foiled the smuggling of secondhand luxury cars worth about P20 million and apprehended illegally imported cigarettes valued at about P60 million on separate occasions at Manila International Container Port (MICP).
The secondhand luxury cars arrived in the Philippineson October 16 and were imported by Blue Core Enterprises, which had declared the shipment as furniture, BOC said in a statement.
After profiling and examination, the container was verified to contain smuggled secondhand vehicles, including a Porsche sportscar, a Bentley luxury car, a Mercedes Benz sportscar, and a half-cut Volkswagen.
After the shipment was apprehended on October 20, BOC-MICP district collector Romeo Allan Rosales immediately issued awarrant of seizure and detention against the vehicles. The importer is now under investigation and may face charges for violation of relevant sections of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Meanwhile, the containers of smuggled cigarettes arrived from China on September 30 and were allegedly imported by Ocean World Enterprises. The containers, declared to contain various items including cartons, furniture and bags, were found to be hiding 500 cases and 1,198 boxes of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated total value of P60 million.
BOC said a total of 11 shipments are currently being investigated on suspicion of illegal importation of cigarettes. The importer will face charges for violation of relevant sections of the CMTA, related Bureau of Internal Revenue guidelines and regulations, and pertinent National Tobacco Authority memorandum.
Other shipments of the importer will be further investigated to ascertain if they also violated Customs laws, rules and regulations.
BOC stressed that importation of secondhand vehicles and smuggling of cigarettes and other illicit and regulated goods are strictly prohibited in the Philippines and will be met with the full force of the law.
