Bureau of Customs, Interpol seize 'hot cars' from Japan

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the International Police seized two vehicles stolen from Japan when the shipment arrived at Port Irene in the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), an official said yesterday.

BOC chief Napoleon Morales told reporters during a forum at a Quezon City hotel that they “were able to track down the stolen vehicles with the help” of Japanese Customs officials.

Jaime Vicente, President of the Auto Rebuilders Industry in Cagayan (ARIC) said in a telephone interview that the seized vehicles passed through Japanese Customs and was brought to the Subic Bay Freeport zone, which has a ban on the import of second-hand vehicles.

Vicente said the trader of the car re-exported the vehicles to Hong Kong so they could be imported through Port Irene.

“This is the first case that stolen cars has found its way to Port Irene, “ he said. “It was in Hong Kong where the Interpol was able to trace the (stolen) vehicles,” he said

Vicente said a Japanese firm inside the Subic Freeport carried out the sale of the stolen cars.

Morales said the buyer of the stolen cars is currently trying to locate the owners of the vehicles to explain he was also a victim of a car theft syndicate.

Aside from two stolen vehicles, the BOC also seized a BMW Z3 sports car (YFT-930) shipped from Davao to Manila after BOC officers found out its papers were fake. The sports car had been consigned to Geneses Trading.   – Perseus Echeminada