The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized 13 luxury vehicles linked to the Discaya family after confirming violations of customs laws and securing probable cause for their detention. The move follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the government’s campaign against smuggling and corruption.
The vehicles, now under BOC custody, were among 30 units discovered during a search at the Pasig City premises of St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor & Development Corp., owned by the Discaya family. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is also investigating the family over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Port of Manila District Collector Alexander Gerard E. Alviar issued the Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) for 13 vehicles under Sections 1400, 1401, and 1430 in relation to Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). The decision followed verification that several units either had no import entries or carried fraudulent Certificates of Payment (CPs).
Among the seized vehicles are:
- Without import entries or with fraudulent CPs: Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 SUV, Mercedes-Benz G 500, Lincoln Navigator 2021, Bentley Bentayga.
- With import entries but fraudulent CPs: Lincoln Navigator 2024, GMC Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade 2021, Maserati Levante Modena, GMC Yukon XL Denali, Cadillac Escalade ESV.
The remaining vehicles are under transaction audit by the Post-Clearance Audit Group (PCAG).
Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno stressed that the BOC is committed not only to seizing smuggled goods but also to pursuing accountability.
“Our job at the BOC never stops with just seizures. We want the public to know that we are serious about the responsibilities entrusted to us, especially in resolving longstanding anomalies that burden our people,” Nepomuceno said.
The issuance of the WSD signals the start of forfeiture proceedings under the CMTA, part of the agency’s wider effort to safeguard government revenues and strengthen the fight against smuggling.
