13 right-hand drive vehicles seized in Cebu City

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Criminal Investigation and Detection Group operatives in Central Visayas seized at least 13 right-hand drive vehicles in a raid on a warehouse in the North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, Tuesday night.

Chief Inspector Ricky Neron, chief of Criminal Investigation and Detective Team, said Wednesday that the cars were seized from Sha Japan Surplus Suppliers located at the Benedicto Building along De Vera Street, North Reclamation Area, Barangay (village) Carreta.

The raid was conducted based on a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Enriquita Belarmino, which listed as respondents Jin Mata, Shaquel Hussain, a certain Saim and a Sonny.

The four were not present during the raid, Neron said.

Superintendent Romano Cardino, assistant deputy chief of CIDG-Region7, said that all vehicles they seized were right-hand drive vehicles that were about to be converted.

Cardino said the Philippines has existing laws prohibiting importation of right-hand drive vehicles.

Neron said that they conducted a month of surveillance on the warehouse before they asked the court to issue a search warrant.