P1.4 billion smuggled luxury cars seized in Pasay, Parañaque raids

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) raided two car shops allegedly selling smuggled luxury vehicles online – including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maybach and Maserati – worth an estimated P1.4 billion yesterday.

The BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) had received photos from sources showing luxury cars allegedly being sold illegally.

The raided car shops are AC Che Gong Miao in Pasay City and TopCar Specialist and Trading Inc. in Parañaque.

The BOC has been monitoring these shops and the luxury vehicles since early this month, said CIIS director Verne Enciso.

Acting on letters of authority and mission orders from Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, CIIS personnel conducted the raids on Feb. 13.

“This operation signals a new approach in the BOC’s strategies in going after smugglers and ensuring the collection of rightful revenues due the government,” Rubio said.

At AC Che Gong Miao’s warehouse, authorities found units of Ferrari LaFerrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Range Rover, Bentley, Alphard and Jeep Wrangler.

Found in the warehouse of TopCar Specialist were Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Mansory, Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Maybach and BMW.

The BOC padlocked the warehouses and assigned personnel to secure the premises.

The shop owners and those involved in the business were given 15 days to provide proof of tax payments for the seized vehicles.

Failure to comply could result in charges of violating Sections 1400 and 1401 in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

The BOC noted that the estimated value of the luxury cars has yet to be finalized as the items are still undergoing inventory.