Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is set to investigate the import documents of eight luxury vehicles linked to former Bicol Ako party-list Representative Zaldy Co, to determine if these were smuggled or misdeclared. Chris Noel Bendijo, Deputy Chief of Staff of the BOC-Office of the Commissioner, stated that the investigation would commence this week.

According to Philippine News Agency, the probe follows a court's issuance of search warrants for nine vehicles, with only eight found in Taguig City. The vehicles include a Lexus LX450d, a Toyota Sequoia, a Rolls Royce, three Cadillac Escalades, a Lexus LX570, and a Mercedes Benz V220d. The BOC's assessment places the total value of these vehicles at over P145 million.

The search warrants were issued after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure received intelligence indicating that the vehicles lacked import entries, a violation under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act Section 1401, which addresses "Unlawful Importation or Exportation."

The Bureau of Customs has invited the registered owners of these vehicles to submit documentation to contest the preliminary findings suggesting that the cars were smuggled. Currently, the vehicles are being safeguarded by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.