The Bureau of Customs reported seizing P19 million worth of vape products in two separate warehouses in Manila and Laguna.
Agents from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), in coordination with the Enforcement and Security Service and the Philippine Coast Guard, served the warehouse’s letters of authority issued by BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio.
According to CIIS director Verne Enciso, an estimated P6.47 million worth of vape devices, vape pods and disposable vape brands Relx and Top Fog were seized at the Quiapo, Manila warehouse.
They also found another P75 million worth of smuggled motorcycle parts and accessories.
“The total amount of smuggled products found in Manila was around P81.47 million since aside from vape products, our team also uncovered motorcycle parts and accessories. We know the price of the spare parts range in the thousands, sometimes more,” Enciso said.
Separately, in a shop in San Pedro in Laguna, customs agents seized smuggled disposable vapes of varying brands like Flava, King’s Evo, Grio and Milan worth an estimated P12.6 million.
The BOC padlocked and sealed the two warehouses pending the inventory of goods by assigned customs examiners witnessed by representatives from the CIIS, ESS and the warehouse and shop.
“Our partnership with key government agencies and local officials led to the successful seizure of these products. Since vapes have become quite popular among Filipinos in the past years, we started beefing up our border patrols and collecting information on the trafficking of these products,” deputy commissioner Juvymax Uy said.
The warehouse and shop owners face charges for violating Section 117 (regulated importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
They also face charges under Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, Republic Act 10963, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN Law) and the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Board Resolution 079-2005 (amended rules and regulations governing the exportation and importation of leaf tobacco and tobacco products).
“Stopping the trafficking of smuggled products is crucial in the prevention of criminal organizations from profiting from unsuspecting consumers. I appeal to our consumers: buying smuggled products puts your health at risk because by not going through the proper process, the safety of these vapes are already compromised,” Customs chief Rubio said.
