The Bureau of Customs yesterday announced that it has taken into custody P1.4 billion worth of imported luxury vehicles, including cars made by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maybach, and Maserati, which were discovered in separate warehouses in Pasay and Parañaque cities.
Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio identified the sellers as AC Che Gong Miao in Pasay City, and TopCar Specialist and Trading Corp. in Parañaque City.
“This seizure reflects a significant shift in the operational strategies of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), indicating a more aggressive and proactive approach in our enforcement efforts. It serves as a warning to all importers who believe they are safe once their products have left the ports,” he said.
“We want them to understand that we have eyes everywhere. We’re not stopping or slowing down; we’re always one step ahead,” Rubio added.
Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) agents, acting on information received about allegedly smuggled luxury vehicles being sold online, raided the storage facilities on Thursday.
CIIS Director Verne Enciso confirmed that luxury vehicles were being kept at the AC Che Gong Miao, and TopCar Specialist and Trading Corp. premises when his team arrived and presented the Letters of Authority (LOAs) and Mission Orders (MOs) to the companies’ representatives.
“When we received the tip about these vehicles earlier this month, we quickly verified the information and issued the appropriate orders to conduct the operation,” he explained.
However, it was clarified that an investigation to verify the legitimacy of the vehicles’ importation and to determine whether the appropriate duties and taxes had been paid is still ongoing.
The owners, lessees, lessors, occupants, representatives, or any parties responsible for the warehouses have been granted 15 days from the receipt of the LOAs to submit the necessary documents proving the correct duties and taxes were paid.
If they fail to provide the proper documentation, they will face charges for violating Republic Act 10863, also called the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the BOC said.
Enciso noted that among the vehicles found at the AC Che Gong Miao location in Pasay City were models such as the Ferrari LaFerrari, Lamborghini McLaren, Maserati, Rolls Royce, Mercedes Benz, Maybach, Range Rover, Bentley, Alphard, and Jeep Wrangler.
At TopCar Specialist and Trading Corp. in Parañaque City, the team discovered a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Mansory, Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Maybach, and BMW.
The total estimated value of these vehicles is approximately P1.4 billion, with a final inventory list to be released later.
Pending the submission of the demanded documents, the BOC-CIIS team has sealed the doors of the warehouses containing the high-end cars and assigned personnel to secure the premises.
For his part, Deputy Commissioner for the Intelligence Group, Juvymax Uy, emphasized the need for greater enforcement of customs laws, rules, and regulations, as well as the collection of rightful duties and taxes due to the government.