Smuggling charges filed at DOJ vs 9 importers

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) filed Thursday at the Department of Justice (DOJ) four sets of smuggling charges against nine persons and their firms accused of smuggling goods ranging from Hummers to gun parts to construction vehicles.   The biggest case in terms of value of alleged contraband—P18 million—involves Lilibeth Miranda, owner of LG Miranda Transport Services. Miranda was accused of smuggling three 40-footer container vans a Hummer H2 2007 model, a 2007 Lincoln Navigator, a unit 2008 Cadillac Escalade, and three 2007 Cadillac Escalades.   These shipments were intercepted and seized by the BOC Enforcement and Security Service at the Manila International Container Port in June 20 last year.   In another set of charges, the BoC alleged that a certain Renato Ramos and a certain Rafael Rubio declared as used household goods one forty container load of gun parts, accessories, bullets, and six dismantled motorcycles worth P1.55 million intercepted at the Port of Cebu last November 3.   Biazon said  officials of And D’ Golden House Trading—Nazario Canono, Tirso Otar, Warren Dy, and Miguel Panis—attempted to smuggle gun parts and accessories, bullets, radio transceivers, a truck prime mover and other used household goods that were seized at the Port of Cebu last November 23.   A separate set of charges were filed against Junimer Talara and Jay Marigomen of Junta Trading for attempting to smuggle a used metal and wood working machine, six used motorcycles, and a motorcycle engine—all worth P1.23 million and loaded in one 40-footer container van intercepted last November 8 at the Port of Cebu.    “We have tightened our intelligence and enforcement network, I would like, therefore, to send this warning to ill minded businessmen who deal with customs, to think twice before they even plan of getting goods into the country illegally,” Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon said.   Customs Deputy Commissioner Peter Manzano, who is also the concurrent Head of the Run After The Smuggler (RATS) Program stressed that they expect to get positive result from the DOJ on the cases they filed against the suspected smugglers.   Deputy Commissioner Ret. Gen. Danilo Lim leads the Bureau’s Intelligence Group while the Enforcement Group is headed by Deputy Commissioner Horacio Suancing, Jr. The Enforcement and Security Service is the customs police unit and is led by Ret Gen. George Aliño. — ELR, GMA News