By virtue of a Search Warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 18, and in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen enforcement against smuggling, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) conducted a search operation on 02 September 2025 at the headquarters of St. Gerrard General Contractor and Development Corp. in Pasig City. The operation was undertaken in connection with the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the importation of luxury vehicles linked to the Discaya family discovered during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s inquiry into alleged anomalous flood control projects.
This action underscores the BOC’s support for the President’s call for transparency and accountability in government initiatives, while ensuring that violations related to the importation of luxury vehicles are addressed in accordance with the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The search team, composed of BOC’s Intelligence and Enforcement units and led by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service–Port of Manila Field Station Chief Joel Pinawin, discovered two high-end vehicles out of the twelve (12) covered by the search warrant and suspected to have been smuggled into the country: a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and a Maserati Levante Modena 2022.
In addition, the team also found two other luxury vehicles not covered by the warrant, a Jaguar F-Pace and a Bulletproof Cadillac Escalade, which will be included in the ongoing investigation.
If verified, legitimate buyers in good faith may be afforded the protection of the law. However, if the investigation establishes that these vehicles were imported without payment of the correct duties and taxes, corresponding enforcement and legal actions will be pursued.
The search warrant, issued by Executive Judge Carolina Icasiano-Sison of RTC Manila, was served to the legal representative of St. Gerrard General Contractor and Development Corp., in coordination with partner agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Highway Patrol Group (HPG) led by Acting Director Col. Hansel Marantan, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and officials of Brgy. Bambang, Pasig City.
In fulfillment of the warrant’s provisions, Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno stressed that the Bureau of Customs takes the issue of the missing luxury cars of Discaya with utmost seriousness.
“We will ensure that these vehicles are located without delay, and if discrepancies are uncovered, all taxes and duties will be collected in full. Let it be clear: those hiding or abetting the concealment of these cars will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. The Bureau is committed to decisive action to protect government revenues, enforce accountability, and uphold the trust of the Filipino people.”
