Customs seizes shipment of used vehicles, firearms

Three used vehicles and assorted firearms worth P50 million that were allegedly smuggled from New York were recently seized by the Philippines' Bureau of Customs (BOC). Based on an inventory report, a 1999 Plymouth sports car, a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle, and a 1983 Kawasaki Motorcycle were found inside a 40-foot container. The shipment also included 16 pieces of long firearms, eight short firearms, and 6,000 rounds of assorted ammunition. Among the items seized was a Rifle 24 karat gold cal. 45 Colt with case model Winchester USA; a Thomson Vietnam War 1; a Barret Sniper 50 caliber Harris Gun Works; a Granade Rifle Launcher; and a Magnum 44 Revolver with a Smith and Wesson scope. Included in the shipment were two Samurai swords, two archery bows with arrows, and various foreign coins — six pieces of nickel coins issued during the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), nine pieces of boxes of US Liberty coins, and three pieces of box coins USSR 1988, among others. Based on the import manifest, the 40-foot container was supposed to contain 75 packages of used household goods and personal effects, Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said. The shipper was identified as Leonardo Chicco while the consignee was a certain Lucia Chicco, according to BoC-X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) chief Atty. Lourdes Mangaoang. The broker was identified as Melchor Latina. The consignee may also be found liable for importing prohibited firearms and ammunition as well as violations of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP). The three vehicles were supported by a Bill of Lading, Mangaoang said, adding that since these were second-hand items, they are required to present an import permit from the Bureau of Import Services (BIS) as required under Executive Order no. 156. “Whoever packed the shipment obviously wanted to conceal the items especially the guns from detection," she said. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV