Another operation by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, led to the discovery of more or less P900 million worth of high-end luxury cars from a Taguig City warehouse.

BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio lauded this string of operations, the latest of which had the CIIS-MICP team apprehending 44 units of smuggled luxury cars, bearing brands such as Ferrari, Maserati, and Rolls Royce, among others.

According to CIIS Director Verne Enciso, the cars were found at a multi-business vehicle shop in Taguig City. “They have a variety of high-end luxury cars—some are really high-end like the McLaren but they also have mid-tier cars. We seem to have a market for these, so some of these businesses and groups have realized the opportunity to profit from the interest these cars generate,” he explained.

CIIS-MICP Chief Alvin Enciso shared in an interview that this operation marks as the 3rd raid conducted by the CIIS on auto shops in Metro Manila selling luxury vehicles. The others were located in the cities of Parañaque, Pasay, and Makati.

He also stated that the BOC is currently coordinating with the Land Transportation Office, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and Anti-Money Laundering Council to verify if the vehicles have links to organized syndicates and backtrack documents such as proof of payment of correct duties and taxes, as it is quite surprising where they were able to obtain the funds to pay for such expensive automobiles.

Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said that these operations showcased the skills and training that the BOC agents possess in order to stay true to their mandates and warned that, “If found without proper documents, the individuals involved will face charges for violation of Sections 1400, 1401 in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).”

The exact year models and other details of the subject motor vehicles will still be determined by a final inventory to be conducted by the assigned customs examiners before witnesses, representing offices such as the CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service, the Philippine Coast Guard, barangay officials, and the warehouse owner.

The owners, lessees, lessors, occupants, representatives, or any parties responsible for the warehouses were given 15 days from the receipt of the LOAs to submit the necessary documents proving that correct duties and taxes due thereon were paid.

The BOC vows to go after smugglers and fight against any and all types of smuggling activities as it exercises its mandate in accordance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign.