CIDG cops seize 'chop-chop' cars in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have taken into custody 13 right hand drive vehicles, which were stored in a warehouse along J. de Vera St. at the North Reclamation Area Tuesday afternoon.

The vehicles, which were chopped up, were allegedly imported illegally.

They were allegedly owned by Pakistani nationals, who were the subject of the warrant.

Not one of them — Jin Masa, Shakeel Hussein, certain Sunny and Mister Seim, was around when a team led by Sr. Insp. Ricky Neron served the warrant issued by Judge Enriqueta Belarmino of the Regional Trial Court branch 57.

Neron said only a caretaker and a security guard were at the warehouse when the CIDG team went there.

They failed to present any document that would prove that the business was legal, Neron said.

The vehicles were a white Suzuki Wagon, two 4-door Mitsubishi Pajeros, a three-door grey Mitsubishi Pajero, a red Toyota RAV4, three Isuzu Bighorns, two white Honda Fits, and three Suzuki mini cabs.

Neron said that the importers of these vehicles have most likely brought them into the country inside container vans, which were marked to have contained spare parts in order to avoid paying higher tariff for car importation.

Neron said the suspects have been engaged in the said business for almost a year.

The Pakistani nationals were under surveillance for a month before the CIDG secured a warrant.

Neron said there was no longer a need for the CIDG to inform the Bureau of Customs because the violation falls under special laws and they were also able to secure a search warrant.

Nevertheless, they will coordinate with the BoC to verify where the vehicles came from.

Neron said they will charge the suspects for violation of Section 1 of Republic Act 8506 or an Act banning the registration and operation of vehicles with right-hand steering wheel in any private or public street, road or highway. — /NLQ (FREEMAN)