Customs officials confiscated three 2014 vehicles over the weekend that they believe were smuggled into the country through

a "sophisticated" operation.
Comptroller of Customs Charles Turner said officers seized a Mercedes Benz, a Chevy Impala and a Buick

Regal.
Officials believe they are stolen cars.
"The vehicles are believed to have been smuggled into The Bahamas and there is no evidence that custom duties would have been paid," said Turner at a press conference at customs office on Thompson Boulevard.
The Mercedes retails for around $120,000 in The Bahamas and about $70,000 in the United States, according to customs officials. The Guardian understands that the local buyer paid about $40,000 for the car.
Turner said the Impala and Buick are valued at over $30,000 each. He did not reveal how much the buyers paid for them.
Turner said if the deal seems too good to be true then it usually is.
He said he believes the confiscated cars are just a few of the models that were recently imported.
"I believe that there are still more vehicles to be seized," Turner said.
"...It's a very sophisticated operation. We have the police involved. Customs and police are working jointly to try to reduce the level of smuggling of vehicles; not only vehicles though.
"There is also the smuggling of high duty goods and the smuggling of firearms and ammunition. We realize that once there is a market smuggling with take place."
Turner said members of the public should check with police or customs officials before purchasing vehicles.
"We know the owners of the vehicles," Turner said. "We are not certain that the owners of the vehicles were involved in the smuggling of those vehicles. We believe that they are victims of the circumstances."
The local buyers will not get the cars back, Turner said. However, the foreign owners can apply to have their cars returned.
Police had not arrested anyone in connection with the matter.
However, Superintendent Stephen Dean said police and customs investigators were "targeting" some people in connection with the seizures.
Turner said while he has no evidence that any customs officials are involved, he said nothing has been ruled out.
This latest seizure came weeks after customs and police confiscated four luxury vehicles, which were reported stolen in the United States.
The vehicles were discovered in two containers entering The Bahamas.
Turner said the vehicles -- two sports Camaros, a Chevrolet Silverado and a Chevrolet Tahoe -- are valued at more than $200,000.
However, he said the seizure is part of a much larger car theft ring.
More than 1,000 rounds of ammunition for weapons such as a .357 Magnum, 9 mm pistol, AK-47 rifle and a .38 special pistol were also found in the containers, Turner said.
Turner said yesterday that the investigation into that seizure is ongoing.

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