Another group of allegedly smuggled high-end luxury cars was seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday, Feb. 14., a day after the seizure of ₱1.4 billion worth of smuggled vehicles.
Through its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), the BOC uncovered vehicles worth ₱366 million, including brands such as Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren, from a warehouse in Makati City.
Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio has confirmed that the “intelligence agents conducted an operation after receiving information regarding this showroom in Makati.”
“We discovered several high-end luxury cars and are currently verifying the importation documents for these vehicles,” Rubio added.
According to the initial inventory, among the range of luxury vehicles listed are Ferraris, Porsches, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Bentley, Land Rover, Audi, McLaren, and high-end SUVs, motorcycles, and vans such as the Toyota Alphard.
Verne Enciso, CIIS Director, said that the CIIS MICP team, together with the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) Task Force Aduana, served a Letter of Authority (LOA) to the shop owner.
“This was necessary to verify the legitimacy of the vehicles' importation and ensure that the correct duties and taxes had been paid,” the BOC said.
Within 15 days after receiving the LOAs, those responsible for the warehouse and vehicles—including owners, lessees, lessors, and representatives—must submit documents proving proper payment of duties and taxes.
As per the BOC, “if they fail to provide valid documentation, they will face charges in violation of Sections 1400 and 1401, in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).”
The CIIS has temporarily sealed the showroom and storage facility while waiting for a proper inventory by Customs examiners, to be conducted in the presence of CIIS, enforcement and security service (ESS), barangay officials, and storage representatives.
Rubio emphasized that the back-to-back operations showed not only the commitment of the CIIS team to their mandate but also to a new strategy for tackling smuggling.
“Those involved should understand that our skills and capabilities extend beyond our borders. We will pursue them relentlessly, regardless of how or where they hide their contraband,” the director warned.