Misdeclaration try fails to fool BOC; ₱137 million smuggled vapes seized in Manila

On Jul 12, 2026

PHILIPPINE Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno with MICP District Collector Atty/. Geofrey De Vera, inspecting some of the ₱137 million worth of vape products seized at the port, July 8, 2026. Also in photo are Joel Pinawin, MICP Intelligence Field Officer and Assistant Secretary Atty. Jek Casipit, Chief of Staff to the Commissioner (photo: BOC-PIAD).

A YET-to-be identified smuggling ring was frustrated after its effort to smuggle in ₱137 million worth of vape products was foiled by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, together with MICP District Collector Atty. Geoffrey De Vera and representatives from partner agencies last July 8 led the inspection of the smuggled items loaded into 9 container vans from China and declared as assorted general merchandize such as cardboard boxes, accessories, packaging bags, kitchenware, underwear, clothes hangers, shoe boxes, and footwear.

Acting on reliable information, De Vera immediately issued an ‘AO’ (Alert Order) and ordered the conduct of 100 percent examination of the shipment.

The operation was carried out in coordination with the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS).

“Hindi natin palalampasin ang pagpuslit sa bansa ang mga regulated products. Malinaw ang regulasyon ng gobyerno para sa mga vape products na ito, at ang magbabalak umiwas dito ay agad na pananagutin.

“Patuloy nating hihigpitan ang seguridad sa ating mga pantalan upang maprotektahan ang publiko, ang mga lehitimong negosyo, at ang kaban ng bayan, alinsunod sa utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,” Commissioner Nepomuceno assured the public.

As its recent practice, however, the BOC declined to identify the consignee or the customs broker who processed the customs declaration.