BOC seizes luxury vehicles

CEBU, Philippines -  The Bureau of Customs seized P4 million worth of luxury vehicles from a shop at the North Reclamation Area in Cebu last Wednesday.

The hot cars were believed to be smuggled from Korea but reportedly entered the country through Cagayan de Oro and then to Cebu to make it appear that these were local shipment.

BOC Cebu District Collector Ronnie Silvestre issued the warrant of seizure and detention after a team visited Sumada Total Golden Motor Care in J.L. Briones St., North Reclamation Area, Cebu City last Wednesday and found nine vehicles that are not registered with the Land Transportation Office.

The vehicles also lack the neccessary documents to prove that the importation was legal.

Seized were four units of Kia Sorento, two units of Hyudai Starex, one unit

Hyudai Tucson, one unit Kia Retona and Ssangyong Korando.

These were brought to the BOC compound in Pier 6 after the operation.

It was Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon who issued a mission order to the elements of Enforcement and Security Services here to visit the shop after a “tipster” informed BOC about the vehicles.

The shop where these vehicles were found is owned by Jung Choi Myung, a Korean national.

Cebu City Hall issued him a business permit on Feb. 28, 2012 and he indicated his nature business as “repair services”. - THE FREEMAN