Korean faces raps for car smuggling

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs-Cebu (BOC) yesterday filed before the office of the Department of Justice in Manila a case against a Korean national and owners of the Cebu Total Golden Motor Care, Inc. for alleged smuggling of P18 million worth of hot cars.

BOC-Cebu District Collector Ronnie Silvestre told The FREEMAN that the complaint was already forwarded personally by his staff to the office of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday morning. Silvestre said that the course the case will take is now up to the DOJ.

Rico Mongaya, BOC-Cebu’s deputy district commander for operations, said that among the respondents is Jung Choi-myung, owner of Total Golden Motor Care with North Reclamation Area in Barangay Mabolo as address.

The BOC-Cebu last month seized nine sports utility vehicles parked inside Choi-myung’s shop after receiving tips that these were smuggled from Korea. Seized were two Hyundai Starex, a Hyundai Tucson, four Kia Sorento, and two others believed to be worth P5 million.

All these were taken by the BOC personnel to their office for custody.

Silvestre said the suspects are now facing violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

Mongaya, who was among those who hand-carried the complaint, said that apart from Choi-myung, Johanna Lariosa, Felimer Lee, Lee Mee Lee, Godofredo Gimongala and Alejandro Alberto Milanes, owner of JV&A Enterprises in Davao, were also named as respondents.

Milanes reported declared as industrial equipment the hot cars in the container vans that arrived in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental in May and June last year. Among the smuggled cars were a Ford Explorer, a Dodge Durango and two Mercedez Benz, among others, all worth P13 million. — (FREEMAN)