Luxury cars, misdeclared goods seized at Manila port

A customs inspector and his K9 companion examine one of the used cars seized at the Manila port. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized on Monday P24.2 million worth of used luxury cars and steel products at Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña led the seizure of the shipments, mostly from the United Arab Emirates. Some of the cargo arrived in the country in 2016 and the rest in May.

Among the recovered cars were a used 2012 Lamborghini Glardo, a 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago and a white 2005 Ferrari F430.

Overstaying cargo

Lapeña said the cargo was ordered seized by MICP district collector lawyer Ruby Alameda because it had been overstaying at the container yard of the International Container Terminal Services.

The used luxury cars were consigned to different individuals in Apalit, Pampanga; San Rafael, Bulacan; and Cagayan de Oro City.

Another shipment that had been misdeclared as personal effects and household goods was also seized by the BOC after an X-ray inspection showed that it contained a vehicle, along with personal effects. It was consigned to Dorotea Sadang.

At the same time, the customs bureau seized two shipments consigned to Hongtaisheng Steel due to discrepancies in declared weight.

“These shipments will undergo forfeiture proceedings to [determine] their liability to the government,” Lapeña said.