Second Bugatti Chiron car turned over to BOC
(Photo courtesy of Bureau of Customs)
MANILA, Philippines — The owner of the blue Bugatti Chiron — one of the two sports cars that were flagged by authorities — has surrendered the vehicle to authorities, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
The BOC, in a statement on Wednesday, said that the allegedly smuggled sports car was turned over earlier to the bureau’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) agents and personnel from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Today, we are happy to report that the blue Bugatti sports car we’ve been looking for was finally surrendered to the BOC,” Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio said.
“The fact that the mission took barely three weeks speaks of the hard work and commitment we put into this since we appealed to the public to help us find these motor vehicles,” he added.
CIIS Director Verne Enciso said that the team coordinated with officials of the same village where the red Bugatti Chiron — the other sports car allegedly smuggled into the Philippines was found.
After this, the Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) was then sent to the legal counsel of the car owner.
The sports car was then loaded onto a low bed truck and brought to the BOC’s Port of Manila office.
“We warned the owner of this blue sports car that we will find him and make him accountable. We’re glad he came to his senses and surrendered willingly to the bureau because we don’t plan on letting up anytime soon or ever,” Enciso said.
Last February 5, BOC announced that they were tracking down two Bugatti Chirons, which were allegedly imported without payment of required tariffs and taxes.
BOC said each car, before customs duties and taxes, is estimated to be worth around P165 million.
Deputy Commissioner for Customs Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said they recommended the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the two sports cars, which were seen roaming the streets of Metro Manila and Cavite through social media posts.
After the foreign national who owns the red Bugatti surrendered the sports car to BOC last February 9, the agency appealed to the owner of the other car to coordinate with authorities.
Uy said that the “collective efforts” of different law enforcement agencies led to the seizure of these vehicles.
“Our collective efforts have dealt a significant blow to the attempts of these two individuals to abuse and circumvent our laws and capitalize on their power and money,” Uy said.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment not only to protect our borders but also to go after nefarious individuals and organizations who want to make a mockery of the very laws that make us a progressive society,” he added.
According to BOC, despite the two foreign nationals surrendering the sports cars, both will still face charges for violating Section 1401, in relation to Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
