Customs Bureau files charges against alleged car smugglers

The Bureau of Customs filed charges on Thursday morning against two company heads, each for a separate attempt to smuggle several cars into the country.   Customs commissioner Ruffy Biazon personally filed the charges before the Department of Justice against JV&A Enterprises owner Alejandro Alberto Milanes of Bangkal Davao City, as well as against officials of Total Golden Motor Care, Inc. in Cebu, headed by president Chui Myung Jong, secretary Johanna A. Lariosa, and directors Lee Mee Lee, Felimer Lee and Godofredo Gimongala.   According to Biazon, Milanes’ two 40-foot container vans arrived at the Mindanao Container Terminal at Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental in May and June, 2011 containing 14 cars including two Mercedes Benzes, a Ford Explorer 4x4, a Dodge Durango, and four Toyotas.   The company, however, declared the cargo as used industrial equipment.   The shipment had a total value of P13 million.   The bureau also found that nine imported vehicles of various brands that had been parked at the Total Golden Motor Care, Inc. office in Mabolo, Cebu, did not have the required import permit.   The vehicles are worth a total value of P5 million.   The vehicles were seized by BOC Enforcement Group operative under Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Horacio P. Suansing Jr.   “These apprehensions are results of our enhanced monitoring efforts in the country’s various ports,” Suansing said.   In another case, a Manila Regional Trial Court sentenced Vill Gay Forwarding Services owner Danilo R. Villar and his customs broker Danilo L. Opiniano for violating certain provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines on July 12.   “The conviction of Villar and Opiniano has encouraged us to strive even more in the fight against smuggling. The filing of smuggling cases against these car importers is proof of our determination to curb smuggling in the country,” Biazon said. — BM, GMA News