Cebu Customs seizes four luxury cars

CEBU CITY — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the Port of Cebu has issued a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) against four luxury vehicles allegedly smuggled from Japan, Customs Collector Elvira Cruz said on Monday said. Cruz said a Porsche, Range Rover Evoque, Alfa Romeo, and Mercedes Benz were found inside a 40footer shipping container. Cruz said the shipment arrived at the Cebu International Port (CIP) last Dec. 19. A report submitted by Customs Examiner Rabel Abella to Cruz’s office and obtained by the Philippine News Agency revealed that the shipment was declared as “piece car body for decoration” covered by Customs Entry number C-45110 when it was lodged before the Entry Processing Unit headed by Jessica Delgado the day after it arrived. Abella said the four vehicles, consigned to Kylemelan General Merchandise with office address at Tinajeros District II, Malabon City, was placed under yellow lane selectivity. Shipment placed under this category means it is of “moderate risk” and requires customs officials to perform documentary review only, without examining the cargo itself. Abella said that when the shipment was X-rayed, the images showed four “car bodies” inside the container. The X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) Cebu Field Office headed by Joey Reyes stamped the printed images “for verification.” On XIP’s recommendation, Cruz issued an alert order directing Abella and personnel from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), XIP, Cruz’s office, Customs Police Division, and the broker’s representative to examine the cargo at the CIP yard. (PNA)