Working as a customs officer, one intercepts a huge variety of goods that would have otherwise illegally made their way into the country. However, aside from drugs, bombs and various common items of contraband, apparently exclusive cars are also a target for shady entrepreneurs.
For instance, in the Philippines, McLaren isn’t currently officially present, and it is therefore impossible to simply go out and buy a MP4-12C supercar, if you are inclined to do so.
Still, if you have the money (and connections), you begin to scour the grey market for special vehicles, which you then bring into the country – you do this at your own risk, though.
If your name is Ruffy Biazon, and you are a commissioner in the Philippines’ Bureau of Customs, then the above paragraph will probably make sense. If not, let us elaborate.
Mr. Biazon, announced on his very own Facebook page that he had recently come across an orange McLaren MP4-12C, which had been illegally smuggled into the country, using fake papers. The car was confiscated, and Mr. Biazon kindly posted a photo of himself, with the British supercar in the background.
Strangely, he reported that the car costs P45-million (Philippine Peso), which roughly equates to €854,000 or $1.1-million. An actual 12C, even with all of the optional extras and a hefty levy should cost less than half of that, so Mr. Biazon, is probably not a car guy, and when he heard the name McLaren, it may have conjured up images of the older and much more expensive F1.
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: TG Philippines Photo Credits: Ruffy Biazon / Facebook
Thanks to Leopaul D. for the heads up!
PHOTO GALLERY
