Customs probes 'disappearance' of seized smuggled luxury cars

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is now looking into reports that some luxury cars, seized during the previous administration, have been taken out of ports, GMA News' Jun Veneracion reported on "24 Oras" on Tuesday.

As part of the investigation, Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon conducted a surprise inspection at the Port of Batangas to check if the 14 vehicles intercepted by the agency in 2015 are complete.

"Just to make sure na ang 14 luxury vehicles ay intact pa," Faeldon said.

After the inspection, the BOC chief found that the 14 seized vehicles are still complete, however, this may not be the case in other ports.

Faeldon said he already has a list of ports to be investigated.

"We are in the process of accounting them... We really have to find out why some of these units nailabas samantalang naka-seize na," he said.

The investigation will last several weeks to find out who are responsible for the supposed release of seized smuggled vehicles during the previous administration.

Several attempts to smuggle vehicles such as a used car and three secondhand motorcycles misdeclared by a certain Efrell Lopez as household goods and personal effects have been foiled during the first 11 months of Faeldon in office.

"May kaukulang parusa 'yan kapag natuloy ang kaso at napatunayan na siya ay nagkasala mahina ang tatlong taon na pagkakakulong diyan hanggang anim na taon bukod pa dun sa penalty or fines," Customs Deputy Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said. — John Ted Cordero/BAP, GMA News