Customs Chief oversees destruction of smuggled vapes; biggest thus far under his term

BUREAU Of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno supervised on Thursday, October 1, the destruction of smuggled vape (e-cigarette) products at the Port of Manila (POM) valued at more than P1.428 billion, the biggest seizure thus far in a single operation since he assumed the top Customs post last year.

Joel Pinawin, Intelligence Field Officer at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) told Pinoy Exposé they discovered the contraband inside a privately-owned warehouse in Navotas during an intelligence-driven operation last March.

Commissioner Nepomuceno was also present during the initial inventory inside the raided warehouse (Pinoy Exposé, March 24, 2026).

The shipment, consisting of 3,174 boxes of vape products of assorted brands, lacked documentary stamp tax, indicating they were illegally brought into the country.

Commissioner Nepomuceno put the estimated tax loss at more than P380 million.

He added documents disclosed the warehouse is under the name of ‘Steel Trust’ with a Fil-Chinese surnamed ‘Chua’ as the registered owner. The Filipino who rented the facility and other suspects were not named pending further investigation.

MICP District Collector Atty. Geoffrey de Vera immediately issued an ‘WSD’ (Warrant of Seizure and Detention) against the shipment after the successful operation.

Documents further showed the shipment arrived sometime in 2024, during the term of Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

The condemnation was also witnessed by representatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Commission on Audit (COA), Philippine Coastguard (PCG) and Finance Assistant Secretary Dakila Elteen Napao, representing the office of Secretary Frederick Go.

Napao, reading from the message of Secretary Go, said the destruction highlighted the broader significance of the operation in protecting public interest.

“We are witnessing the strong, unyielding resolve of our government to protect the public interest: protecting our citizens from potentially hazardous substances; helping safeguard government revenues meant to build schools, healthcare facilities, and public infrastructure; and ensuring a fair, predictable, and competitive market,” Napao said.

“Sa pagsira sa mga vape products na ito, sinisigurado ng BOC na hindi na magagamit o maibebenta ang mga ito.

“Hindi lang naman tariffs, duties, at taxes ang usapin dito.

“Delikado ang mga puslit na produkto dahil hindi dumaan ang mga ito sa tamang pagsusuri at regulasyon at maaaring makasama sa kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan,” Commissioner Nepomuceno added.

He also assured that all those behind the smuggling attempt would be sued accordingly.

Commissioner Nepomuceno further explained that the case build-up is taking some time as the BOC wants the cases to be filed based on Department Order (DO) No. 15, series of 2024, of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

DO 15 mandates prosecutors that moving forward, all cases and inquest proceedings to be filed in court should have “reasonable certainty of conviction.”

To ensure that the products could no longer be recovered, resold, or reused, the illicit vape items were crushed using a roller compactor and subsequently sprayed with water.