BOC CONFISCATES 13-DISCAYA LUXURY VEHICLES

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intensified its crackdown on smuggling by issuing a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against 13 luxury vehicles linked to the Discaya family, after securing probable cause and confirming violations of customs laws.

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to fight smuggling and corruption, the vehicles were hauled into BOC custody as part of ongoing efforts to hold violators accountable and safeguard government revenues.

The confiscated vehicles were among the subjects of an ongoing investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in connection with alleged anomalous flood control projects.

Earlier in September, the BOC conducted a search operation at the premises of St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp. in Pasig City owned by the Discaya family, which led to the discovery of 30 vehicles now under BOC custody.

Following the directive of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno and pursuant to Sections 1400, 1401, and 1430 in connection with Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), Port of Manila district collector Alexander Gerard E. Alviar issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) covering 13 of the 30 vehicles, after establishing sufficient grounds for seizure due to irregularities in their importation and documentation.

Verification with the Management Information Systems and Technology Group (MISTG) of the BOC revealed that seven of the 13 vehicles, namely Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Rolls Royce Cullinan, Mercedes Benz AMG G63 AMG SUV, Mercedes Benz G 500, Lincoln Navigator 2021, and Bentley Bentayga, do not have import entries and lack or have fraudulent Certificates of Payment (CPs).

Meanwhile, the remaining six vehicles, namely Lincoln Navigator 2024, GMC Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade 2021, Maserati Levante Modena, GMC Yukon XL Denali, and Cadillac Escalade ESV, have import entries but lack or have fraudulent CPs.

The remaining vehicles in BOC custody are subject to transaction audit by the Post-Clearance Audit Group (PCAG).

This demonstrates the agency’s dedication to assisting in the investigation and, more importantly, ensuring that those who attempt to evade the law are held accountable and that all revenues due to the government are properly collected.

“Our job at the BOC never stops with just seizures. We want the public to know that we are serious about the responsibilities entrusted to us, not only in our routine operations but also in pursuing actions that will help resolve longstanding anomalies which continue to burden our people,” said Nepomuceno.

The issuance of the WSD is not the end of the measures being undertaken by the BOC. It marks the beginning of more decisive steps toward forfeiture proceedings in accordance with the CMTA, consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to uphold accountability and combat smuggling in all forms.