BOC seizes P19M worth of smuggled vape products from Manila, Laguna warehouses
AN operation by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday, August 23, 2024, yielded more or less P19.075 million worth of suspected vape products in two separate warehouses in Manila and Laguna.
Agents from the BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), in coordination with the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) implemented two Letters of Authority (LOA) issued by BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio.
“Stopping the trafficking of smuggled products is crucial in the prevention of criminal organizations from profiting from unsuspecting consumers. On the other hand, 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,” the BOC Commissioner said.
According to CIIS Director Verne Enciso, the team found an estimated P6.475 million worth of vape devices, vape pods, and disposable vapes, such as brands Relx and Top Fog, in the Quiapo, Manila warehouse.
They also found more or less P75 million worth of smuggled motorcycle parts and accessories.
“The total amount of smuggled products found in Manila was around P81.475 million since aside from the vape products, our team also uncovered motorcycle parts and accessories, and we know the prices for these go to the thousands; sometimes, more,” Enciso said.
In a shop in San Pedro City, Laguna, the composite team led by BOC discovered and seized around P12.6 million worth of smuggled disposable vapes of varying brands, such as Flava, King’s Evo, Grio, and Milan.
While awaiting for inventory of the goods to be conducted by assigned Customs examiners and witnessed by the representatives from CIIS, ESS, and the warehouse and shop, the BOC team temporarily padlocked and sealed the two locations.
Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy hailed the swift action of the BOC team.
“Our partnership with key government agencies and local officials led to the successful seizure of these vape products. Since vapes have become quite popular among Filipinos in the past years, we started beefing up our border patrols and collecting information about the potential trafficking of these products,” he said, adding that the immediate confirmation of derogatory information led to the operation’s success.
The warehouse’s and shop’s owners can 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 will also face charges in accordance with Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as 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 No. 079-2005 (amended rules and regulations governing the exportation and importation of leaf tobacco and tobacco products).
