BOC foils smuggling of X-ray machine, cars

Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) foiled an attempt to smuggle some P50 million worth of misdeclared goods out of the Port of Manila the other day.

Customs Police chief Col. Joey Yuchongco said the seized items included an P10-million X-ray machine from the US capable of detecting drugs, guns and explosives worth at least P10 million.

Also seized were a 2004 Mercedes Benz sedan, a 1974 Alfa Romeo sports car, a Porsche, a 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser and a Nissan sedan.

Yuchongco said the X-ray machine was misdeclared as machinery parts and was completely knocked-down when seized. It arrived at the Port of Manila last June 19 aboard the cargo vessel H-Shanghai from the US.

The cars, on the other hand, were declared as various used car parts when they arrived at the Port of Manila. – Mike Frialde