BOC verifying gun smuggling through appliances

The Bureau of Customs in Cagayan de Oro City is looking into a new, piecemeal method of smuggling high powered firearms into the country.

Customs investigation chief Alvin Enciso said that they are checking reports that arms smugglers are illegally bringing in firearms parts by placing them in toolboxes and appliances.

Customs operatives in the port of Cagayan de Oro had discovered several parts of handguns and assault rifles inside a 40-foot container van that arrived from the US last year.

When these were assembled, they came out with three pistols and one rifle, namely a Glock 42; Ruger LC 380; STI Caliber 40 with Caspian slide; and an M4 Spikes Tactical rifle.

Aside from the firearms, Customs also discovered other undeclared items including a secondhand 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle, night vision goggles, television sets, washing machine, tools and machineries and other items worth P1.4 million.

Enciso said they would recommend the forfeiture of the contraband items and filing of arms smuggling case against the importer and broker.

Officials said the consignee is Starling Trading while the customs broker for the shipment is Oliver Lisondra.

Enciso said an informant tipped them about a high-end motorcycle inside the container van.

“The Harley was really our target. It was found at the rear end of the container van hidden behind the tractor,” he said.

The shipment was only declared to contain tractors.

Customs personnel also found a toolbox that contained the usual tools placed on top of various gun parts.

“It seems that there was an intent to conceal the gun parts and accessories,” Enciso said.

The shipment reportedly arrived from the US on June 7, 2015 but it was not released because the consignee, a certain Michael, was not accredited. The broker Lisondra allegedly looked for an accredited importer and sometime late last year the consignee was changed to Starling Trading.

“We have already informed Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Service Jessie Dellosa about our discoveries. I will recommend to Depcom Dellosa to cancel the accreditation by Starling and to have the other shipments of Starling Trading in other ports such as in Cebu, Davao and in Manila also placed on alert,” Enciso said.