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Tuesday, April 18, 2006
P8M worth of cars seized
TEN slightly used luxury vehicles estimated to be worth P8 million were seized yesterday by the Bureau of Customs Port of Cebu, based on a report that these were stolen in and smuggled out of South Korea.
The cars were placed in five container vans. They consisted of four units of Sorento Limited, three units of Sorento LX, two units Sorento TLX and one unit of Hyundai Starex, all left-hand-drive.
District Collector Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang said each vehicle is priced at more than P1 million. But since these are slightly used, the price is placed at P800,000, or P8 million for the 10 units.
Mangaoang received yesterday morning a copy of the letter from Director Roh SukHwan of the Intelligence and International Affairs Bureau of the Korean Customs Service to Collector John M. Simon of the BOC International Affairs, requesting assistance for the return of the shipment.
“The goods at issue are in fact the property of the Korean Government and have been stolen and smuggled out of Korea,” stated Roh’s letter to Simon.
The cars had been under investigation by the Busan Main Customs of Korea and National Police Agency in South Korea.
In a press conference, Mangaoang, accompanied by Capt. Isidro Estrera of the BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service, said some businessmen were definitely involved, but she is not sure if they are from Manila or Cebu.
Mangaoang said the smuggled vehicles arrived at the Cebu International Port last April 13.
“This is a serious case because the vehicles are subject of crimes in Korea and whoever buys them can be criminally held liable for violating the anti-fencing law and smuggling,” Mangaoang said.
Last April 12, Mangao-ang ordered that there should be skeletal forces to handle the arrival of cargoes. But she did not allow a skeletal force from the assessment division to prevent any customs personnel from processing the release of cargoes from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. (EOB)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 18, 2006 issue)
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