• Customs intelligence officers carried out a raid on an undisclosed car hub in Barangay Ugong, uncovering 87 luxury vehicles with questionable documents.
• The raid was authorized by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, who issued a Letter of Authority for the operation.
• Among the 197 vehicles discovered in the commercial compound, the seized cars included prestigious brands like Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Porsche Macan, Jaguar, GMC Savannah, McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, and Land Rover.
• This raid bears striking similarities to the infamous onion smuggling scandal, which further highlights the alleged incompetence and negligence of the Bongbong Marcos administration.

Customs intelligence officers conducted a stunning raid on a car dealership in Pasig City, reminiscent of last year’s infamous onion smuggling scandal. The operation uncovered an astonishing collection of 87 luxury vehicles and hypercars, all with questionable documents. Valued at over P600 million, this high-profil*e raid has once again raised concerns about the alleged incompetence and negligence of the Bongbong Marcos administration, leaving Filipinos questioning their leaders’ integrity.

Led by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, the intelligence officers executed the raid with precision and determination. Armed with a Letter of Authority, they targeted the undisclosed car dealership suspected of openly trading luxury vehicles without proper documentation. What they found surpassed all expectations—a breathtaking inventory of 87 exotic vehicles and hypercars.

The decision to carry out the raid was prompted by the dealership’s brazen display of luxury cars for sale, drawing attention from vigilant customs officials. Intelligence reports confirmed suspicions that the dealer was storing and openly offering high-end vehicles without the required paperwork, prompting the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Intelligence Group (CIIS-IG) to take action.

Despite the challenges presented by the shared compound housing multiple businesses, CIIS Director Verne Enciso highlighted the team’s determination to pursue justice. The raiding team breached the dealership’s doors and discovered an awe-inspiring showcase of automotive opulence. The showroom featured prestigious brands such as Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Porsche Macan, Jaguar, GMC Savannah, McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, and Land Rover.

This raid not only uncovers an illicit operation but also serves as a stark reminder of the onion smuggling scandal that shook the nation. It further highlights the alleged incompetence and negligence of the Bongbong Marcos administration. As the investigation unfolds, Filipinos find themselves once again questioning the integrity of their leaders.

The Bureau of Customs has swiftly invoked Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, granting the car dealer 15 days to provide evidence of correct duty and tax payments on the imported goods. Failure to comply will result in the seizure of the vehicles, followed by forfeiture proceedings as per Customs Administrative Order No. 10-2020. Meanwhile, BOC agents and officers have been assigned to guard the car hub, ensuring the security of the vehicles while awaiting the dealer’s response.