THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced the seizure of an estimated ₱1 billion worth of suspected smuggled vape products during an operation in Navotas last March 21, the biggest thus far under the leadership of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno.
The initial inventory disclosed that 3,174 master boxes of “unregistered” vape products for “e-cigarettes” were seized during the operation, the agency said in a statement.
The operation stemmed from intelligence developed by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service–Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) under Field Officer Joel Pinawin regarding the suspected storage of vape products that do not comply with regulatory requirements.
Subsequent surveillance indicated probable violations, leading to the issuance of a Letter of Authority (LOA) and Mission Order by the Customs chief.
A composite team from CIIS-MICP, Enforcement and Security Service-MICP, Formal Entry Division, and the Legal Service–Revenue Collection Monitoring Group implemented the LOA, with assistance from the Philippine Coast Guard and in coordination with the Navotas Police Office and barangay officials.
Initial findings revealed that the seized products are unregistered and lack the required Philippine Standard (PS) License or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC), in violation of Republic Act No. 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act).
The items seized were also found to violate a directive of the Department of Trade and Industry’s suspension order on certain brands of vape products.
Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno emphasized that the operation is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify enforcement against illegal trade and protect consumers.
“Malinaw ang mandato ng Pangulo: palakasin ang border control,” the Customs chief stressed.
“Hindi lang ito usapin ng paglabag sa batas — usapin ito ng kaligtasan ng publiko. Ang mga produktong hindi rehistrado at hindi dumaan sa tamang pagsusuri ay maaaring magdulot ng panganib sa kalusugan ng mamamayan,” he added.
No arrest was made and warehouse representatives were directed to submit valid documentation within 15 days to prove regulatory compliance.
Failure to do so will result in the seizure and forfeiture of the goods, along with the filing of appropriate charges for smuggling.
The operation last Saturday would be the biggest single day operation of the BOC targeting suspected smuggled vape products in terms of value under Commissioner Nepomuceno.
The biggest haul to date under the Marcos administration dates back to February 29, 2024, under Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Juvymax Uy when they announced the confiscation of ₱3.72 billion worth of vape products during separate raids in several warehouses in Parañaque and Malabon.
A follow-up raid in Malabon three days later resulted to the confiscation of another ₱1 billion worth of vape products (Pinoy Exposé, March 3, 2024).