CIDG-7 to trace consignee of 17 seized hot cars

CEBU, Philippines - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 will be coordinating with the Bureau of Customs to trace the consignee of the 17 right-hand drive vehicles seized from a car shop in Barangay San Roque, Talisay City, last week.

Chief Inspector Errol Garchitorena, team leader, said that the prosecutor’s office wanted them to submit documents proving Gary Lapinid’s involvement in the importation of the said vehicles.

Lapinid, 57, denied owning the cars believed to have been smuggled from Japan. He was arrested when the vehicles were seized by the CIDG team who raided the car shop armed with a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Wilfredo Navarro.

Lapinid was released yesterday afternoon by CIDG operatives after they failed to present evidence before the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office who earlier asked the policemen to show evidence linking Lapinid to the importation of the right-hand drive vehicles.

He was brought before the prosecutor’s office for inquest proceedings but due to lack of documents, the prosecutor advised the police to release Lapinid.

Lapinid, claimed to be a broker and owner of the GML shop located along Rabaya St., Barangay San Roque, Talisay City where the 17 right-hand drive vehicles were seized by the CIDG-7.

Lapinid planned to stop the business after his arrest.

CIDG-7 operatives conducted two weeks surveillance before conducting the raid.

The 17 cars include Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki units which were believed to be smuggled. The confiscated cars would have an estimated total value of P3,000,000.

Each unit, once converted into left-hand drive will cost about P300,000 each.

Lapinid is facing a complaint for violation of Republic Act 8506, which bans the importation, registration and operation of RHD vehicles.

Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Eddie Benigay, regional director of the CIDG-7 said there are several accredited car shops allowed to dismantle and convert right-hand drive vehicles to left hand drive.

However, he said he sees no certificate that would allow Lapinid to do so.

“DTI has these accredited shops for converting right-hand drive to left-hand drive that is suitable here,” he said.

Benigay added their office will also investigate as to how the 40-footer container van was able to pass through the pier area. —/MIT (FREEMAN)