HIGH-END MOTORCYCLES, EXCAVATOR INTERCEPTED

Customs commissioner warns smugglers, asks them to legitimize their operations and pay correct taxes to the National Government as these will be used to fund projects.

Four smuggled high-end motorcycles and an excavator were found in cargo containers that were opened by Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña at the Port of Cebu yesterday.

Lapeña said that the worth of the motorcycles ranges between P1.5 million and P2 million, while the worth of the Caterpillar excavator ranges between P1 million and P1.5 million.

BOC Port of Cebu District Collector Elvira Cruz lamented that the consignee and broker of the excavator only reported that the cargo container contains household items and paid only P72,000 in taxes.

“The excavator will be issued warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) and will be forfeited in favor of the government,” she said.

Lapeña opened a total of 12 cargo containers. The others contained apples, window frames, tiles and angle bars.

These will be subjected to magnetic scales to determine if the items were properly declared or not.

“We are intensifying our effort against smuggling. You can expect that we will continue this kind of effort to stop unscrupulous businessmen from engaging in this kind of illegal activity,” Lapeña said.

He then reiterated his warning against smugglers. He asked them to legitimize their operations and pay the correct taxes to the National Government as it will be used to fund projects.

Those who will fail to do so, he said, will have their accreditation suspended or canceled. /