The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confirmed on Tuesday that 31 vehicles belonging to contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya are now under government custody as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in importation and tax payments.
BOC Deputy Chief of Staff Atty. Chris Noel Bendijo stated that the agency has impounded 29 luxury cars and two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) linked to the Discyas. These units were not registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), raising further questions about their legality.
The vehicles were seized from the couple’s St. Gerrard property in Pasig City on September 2, following a court-issued search warrant. According to the BOC, initial findings showed that many of the luxury units had incomplete documentation of duties and taxes, along with questionable import entries.
“Ang kabuuang bilang po na presently under the custody ng Customs, ang bilang po ay 29 plus two,” Bendijo said, confirming the scale of the impoundment.
As part of the verification process, the BOC is now examining the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and cross-checking them with import records. Should the investigation confirm violations, the agency may issue a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) against the vehicles. This action could lead to the condemnation of the cars or their sale through public auction.
The development comes as the Discaya couple remains under scrutiny following their alleged involvement in irregularities tied to a flood control project controversy. The controversy has placed them at the center of Senate hearings and multiple corruption-related probes.
The BOC reiterated that its procedures follow due process and that the vehicles will remain in government custody until the investigation is completed. Officials emphasized that the case is being treated with urgency, given the high value of the assets and the potential implications for tax evasion and smuggling laws.
If proven that the vehicles were illegally imported or that the required taxes were evaded, the couple could face charges beyond the forfeiture of their assets. The vehicles, many of which are high-end luxury models, could also fetch substantial amounts in auction—funds that would go directly to the government’s revenue collection.
The Discayas have yet to issue a formal statement on the seizure of their vehicles.