McLaren, other supercars still under litigation: BOC chief

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday said the 22 luxury vehicles including high-end sports cars which were alerted on separate occasions at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) are subjects of an ongoing litigation. (Photo: Bureau of Customs PH/Facebook)

MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday said the 22 luxury vehicles including high-end sports cars which were alerted on separate occasions at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) are subjects of an ongoing litigation.

Customs chief Isidro Lapeña has vowed that the cases involving all remaining luxury vehicles will be resolved speedily while following proper legal procedures.

“Resolving the instant cases necessitates that due process is observed by giving the parties involved the opportunity to present their case,” MICP District Collector Balmyrson Valdez said in a statement, saying part of the legal process is to give parties time to present their case.

Luxury cars including a brand new McLaren, two brand new units of 2017 Chevrolet Camaro, two brand new units of 2017 Range Rover, one brand new 2017 Land Rover Evoque and 12 brand new units of Toyota Land Cruisers which were all consigned to Gamma Gray Marketing are undergoing legal proceedings.

The MICP’s law division is expected to resolve the dispute.

A 2005 Ferrari F430 2006 and Lamborghini Murcielago consigned to Mary Joy Aguanta and Veronica Angeles, respectively, were declared forfeited in favor of the government by the MICP.

However, the case is under appeal proceedings after the importers filed an appeal.

The BOC added that one Lamborghini Gallardo and one Rolls Royce consigned to Allan Usman Garcia and Roy Garchitorena, respectively, were alerted in February 2018 and are now under examination and verification of import documents.

A warrant of seizure and detention will be issued once the customs authorities find a probable cause to issue the same.

Lapeña also dispelled doubts and rumors as to what happened to the supercars including the McLaren and Lamborghini and why they were not included in the condemnation conducted.

“There are still a few who do illicit activities at the Bureau of Customs. This has to stop. We will not allow smugglers to blatantly disregard our laws, rules, and regulations on importation. The Bureau of Customs will be drastic in its efforts to combat smuggling and all forms of corruption,” he said.

On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte led the destruction of 20 smuggled luxury vehicles at the Port Area in Manila while 10 other smuggled vehicles were simultaneously destroyed at the Ports of Davao and Cebu.