BoC charges six for vehicle smuggling

By: Chelin Hernandez

Bureau of Customs (BoC) filed a smuggling case against six businessmen for smuggling case of vehicles at the Department of Justice last September 6.

JV&A Enterprises owner, Alejandro Alberto Milanes of Davao, with Cebu’s Total Golden Motor Care, Inc. President Chui Myung Jong , secretary  Johanna A. Lariosa, and directors Lee Mee Lee, Felimer Lee and Godofredo Gimongala were charged of smuggling 23  vehicles worth P18 million by customs chief Ruffy Biazon.

        

Milanes was found to own four Toyota Vitz, two container vans, two Mercedes Benz, a Ford Explorer 4x4, a Dodge Durango, a Starex, Sorento and others, all to have been misreckoned for industrial equipment.  Milanes’ shipment was estimated to P13 million, according to Biazon. Total Golden Motor Care, Inc. was found to have nine smuggled vehicles for the lack of import permit.

Run-After-the Smugglers (RATS), BoC’s anti-smuggling program that is responsible for smuggling cases also looked into the Vill Gay Forwarding Services owner Danilo Villar and his customs broker Danilo Opiniano last July 12.

“The recent conviction of Villar and Opiniano has encouraged us to strive even more in the fight against smuggling. And today’s filing of smuggling cases against these car importers is proof of our determination to curb smuggling in the country,” said Biazon.

 “We will spare no one in our campaign against smuggling, no matter who are the people behind it.” added Biazon.

The arrest was operated by deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group (EG) Horacio P. Suansing Jr.

“We will also aggressively pursue to get a conviction on the cases we have filed today.” said Peter Manzano, RATS head and deputy commissioner for Revenue Collection and Monitoring Group (RCMG).