BOC: 8 of 30 Discaya luxury cars classified as ‘smuggled’

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday announced that eight of the 30 luxury cars linked to the Discayas, now in its custody, were found to be smuggled.

In a statement, the BOC said its investigation revealed that the eight  vehicles “were imported without any corresponding entry.”

With this, Customs said the vehicles are classified “smuggled” and “subject to the issuance of Warrants of Seizure and Detention.”

Moreover, the bureau said another seven vehicles, although covered by import entries, were also found to lack Certificates of Payment and showed deficiencies in duties and taxes. 

The bureau said that the seven vehicles are now subject to a transaction audit by the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG). 

The total duties and taxes that should have been collected amount to P104,716,704.38 from the eight vehicles found with no entries filed and seven vehicles found with discrepancies in declared values. 

The BOC added that 14 vehicles with filed import entries and supported by Certificates of Payment will also undergo verification under PCAG's transaction audit. 

The Customs added that one additional vehicle is also now under verification.

The BOC said its findings, likewise, identified the ports of entry in Batangas, Cebu, Manila, and the Manila International Container Port, “along with certain BOC officials and personnel as persons of interest, who are now under further scrutiny as part of the investigation.”

Citing its records, the bureau said that duties and taxes assessed and collected for vehicles with filed entries across various ports amounted to P33,056,705.45, still leaving a deficit of P71,659,998.94 considering the over P104.7 million that should have been collected from the vehicles without proper entry and discrepancies in paid duties.

"The BOC will not allow any attempt to evade the payment of lawful duties and taxes. The deliberate evasion of customs laws, particularly involving high-value goods, undermines government revenue and erodes public trust. We will ensure that the law is applied fairly and consistently, regardless of who is involved,” said Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.

“If the findings point to the accountability of individuals outside the agency or within our own ranks, we will act with the same resolve. Under my leadership, no one is exempt from the rule of law, and no one will be shielded from accountability,” said Nepomuceno. — Ted Cordero/RF, GMA Integrated News