MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Thursday filed cases at the Department of Justice (DOJ) against nine brokers and owners of P21.6 million worth of highly taxable goods that illegally arrived in the country last year.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said three personalities and their firms that were allegedly involved in the importation of motor vehicles and motorcycles tried to avoid the right payment of taxes and duties.

The filing of the cases before the DOJ was part of the bureau’s Run After the Smugglers (RATS) Program.

Biazon said Lilibeth Miranda, owner of LG Miranda Transport Services, was charged with the smuggling of six luxury vehicles that entered the Manila International Container Port in 2011.

Among the vehicles were a Hummer H2 2007, 2007 Lincoln Navigator, 2008 Cadillac Escalade and three 2007 Cadillac Escalades. The cars had a total value of P18 million.

In the case of Junta Trading, Junimer Talara and Jay Marigomen are facing smuggling charges for their recent shipments of six used motorcycles and one motorcycle engine at the Port of Cebu.