P9-million ‘hot’ SUVs seized

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) worth P9 million believed to be smuggled from a warehouse at the North Reclamation Area were seized by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) in Cebu. A warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) covered a white Hyundai Tucson, two gray Kia Sorento, black Kia Sorento, white Kia Sorento, two gray Hyundai Starex vans, white Kia Retona, and an SsyangYong Korando.

The nine SUVs were kept in Sumada/Total Golden Motor Care, reportedly owned by Korean national Jung Choi, on JL Briones St in Cebu City. Choi did not face customs investors and the media during the raid. Port of Cebu District Collector Ronnie Silvestre issued the WSD upon the recommendation of Customs Police District Commander Maj. Camilo Cascolan Jr. The caretaker of Sumada Total Golden Motor Care said his Korean employer is still in South Korea and he does not know when he will be back in Cebu. (Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr.)