Authorities have confiscated up to P1.4 billion worth of illicit vaporized nicotine products in a warehouse raid in Navotas City, marking one of the largest recent enforcement actions against the country’s underground vape trade.
The joint operation, led by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), stemmed from intelligence gathered by the BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service. This prompted the issuance of a Letter of Authority on March 21 and a subsequent inspection of a warehouse in San Rafael Village.
Seized during the operation were about 3.17 million units of vape devices and pods, alongside promotional materials such as branded T-shirts, jackets, caps, and lanyards linked to suspended vape labels.
Authorities said several of these brands had already faced regulatory action in 2024 for packaging violations, including the absence of proper tax stamps and graphic health warnings.
DTI officials warned that the proliferation of unregulated products poses both health and consumer protection risks, particularly as illicit goods bypass safety standards and taxation.
The scale of the seizure highlights the persistence, and profitability of the black market, even as regulators tighten oversight of nicotine products.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the operation was aided by a tip from an informant, pointing to increased public cooperation in enforcement efforts.
The DTI, for its part, provided technical support in identifying non-compliant brands and valuing the confiscated goods.
Authorities said the seized items will undergo condemnation proceedings to ensure they are permanently destroyed and do not re-enter circulation. Both agencies signaled plans to intensify enforcement, as the government seeks to curb illicit trade while formalizing the rapidly growing vape market.
