A Chinese national allegedly involved in smuggling luxury vehicles was apprehended in Makati, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) confirmed Friday, as LTO Chief Asec. Markus Lacanilao said the arrest followed surveillance operations triggered by reports of fictitious identities, fake licenses, and illegally imported high-end cars.

According to Lacanilao, the operation was set in motion after the LTO received detailed information from a complainant who previously worked with the suspect, as well as staff from the office of Senator Erwin Tulfo.

The whistleblower reportedly provided specifics on how Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, and other luxury units were illegally brought into the country.

“Agad-agad nagcontact tayo ng pag-trace ng information sa sasakyan pati sa tao kasi yun yung chinese national gumagamit sya ng fictitious name,” Lacanilao said.

“Pangalawa gumagamit sya ng pekeng driver’s license kaya ang LTO agad kaming umaksyon dito,” he added.

LTO teams began monitoring the suspect’s activities in Makati. During routine field operations, enforcers in the area coincidentally flagged down the vehicle he was driving.

The car was found to have discrepancies: its actual color did not match the color indicated on its registration, and documents raised questions about its entry into the country.

Inside the vehicle, authorities also discovered a firearm with no accompanying permits. The LTO immediately coordinated with the Highway Patrol Group for assistance.

The foreign national was subsequently taken into custody and is now detained at Camp Crame. He has been charged with illegal possession of firearms and multiple traffic violations, while further investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the alleged smuggling operation.