DAVAO CITY–The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Davao seized an undeclared Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) shipped among a used dump truck and a tractor head.
The shipment was confirmed after the container was opened, said BOC-Port of Davao District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria on Thursday.
Austria issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) on March 12 instructing Customs Police to confiscate the shipment’s contents.
Austria said that the discovery was made following an alert order issued by Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña.
Lapeña also conducted an inspection of the shipment, the BoC Public Information Officer Joshua Andrei Bon Gilles. Gilles reported that the declared dump truck was put at the opening of the container blocking access and view to the back of the container.
Lapeña commented that such modus is used by smugglers to hide items they want to illegally bring into the country.
Austria explained that upon physical inspection, the BoC examiner confirmed the undeclared vehicle.
Austria also said that some smugglers are importing motor vehicle parts. But, upon closer inspection, their shipment contains a whole vehicle only with its parts disassembled. He reiterated that it is illegal to import used vehicles. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
