Manila – The owner of a smuggled red Bugatti Chiron sports car voluntarily surrendered the vehicle to Customs authorities on Friday (09 Feb 2024).

According to a statement from Bureau of Customs (BOC) Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group, Juvymax Uy, the luxury car was handed over to a joint team from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at a residence in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City, where it had been concealed.

“Our intelligence indicated that the red Bugatti had been stored in a residence in Alabang. With the information about the two cars being made public, it became increasingly challenging for the owners to move them around,” Uy remarked.

This vehicle is one of two Bugatti Chiron sports cars that have been under investigation by the agency since earlier in the week. Authorities are still searching for the other vehicle – a blue model bearing plate number NIM 5448.

Reports suggest these vehicles were spotted on the roads in Pasay, Pasig, Muntinlupa, and Cavite.

Both cars are registered to individuals named Menguin Zhu and Thu Thrang Nguyen.

The BOC is currently determining the origin of the cars and whether they were brand new or used at the time of importation.

BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso revealed that they have requested the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to investigate how the cars were issued registration papers despite lacking proper importation documentation.

“We are determined to uncover the truth behind this. It is not merely about obtaining possession of the sports car now that it has been found to have entered the country illegally; it is also about understanding the circumstances that led to its registration without valid import documents. We intend to hold accountable those responsible for this lapse,” he emphasized.

The controversy surrounding the hot cars first emerged during a Senate hearing last November on the BOC budget for the year 2024 where Sen. Raffy Tulfo claimed that the two Bugatti Chirons entered via the BOC-Port of Batangas under Collector Atty. Rhea Gregorio’s watch. 

Gregorio cannot be reached for comment on the matter since.

Although the car has been surrendered, the owner will still be liable to face charges for contravening Section 1400 in connection with Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

(By el Amigo/MNM)