P4-M worth of illegal vape products seized in QC
NEARLY P4 million worth of illegal vape products were seized by agents of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in an entrapment operation in Quezon City, PNP-CIDG director, Major General Nicolas D. Torre III said yesterday.
The official said that the sting launched by operatives of the CIDG Q.C. and Eastern District Field Units in Barangays Bagbag and Roxas District also resulted in the arrest of six men for selling and distributing the vape products without the necessary permit from the Department of Trade and Industry.
The PNP-CIDG operation was made following a directive from PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil to intensify the campaign against smuggling, economic sabotage, and illegal activities, including selling unregistered vape products nationwide.
The six were identified through their aliases ‘Seb, Mon, Gene, Ro, Net and Rrysz’ yielded the following pieces of evidence: 8,567 pieces of X-Black Elite 12000 Puffs, 300 pieces of X-Black Elite 8000 Puffs, 924 prefilled pod cartridges of various flavors, two mother boxes of X-Black Elite 1200, one Kadobar mother box and three Royal Elite Batteries’ mother boxes with a total value of P3.942,200.
All accused were charged with violation of Republic Act No. 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, RA No. 10643 or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, RA No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines before the National Prosecution Service for illegal sale and distribution of unregistered vape products, online illicit distribution, and failure to display required health warnings.
Maj. Gen. Torre emphasized that the State protects and promotes the right to health of the people and instills health consciousness among them, thus the arrest of the suspects.
He maintained that the government also ensures that novel consumer products are properly regulated using internationally accepted product standards in order to protect its citizens from the hazards of unregulated and substandard Vapor Products and Heated Tobacco Products.
The PNP-CIDG director ordered his men nationwide to continue their operations against the illegal trade, use, advertisement, promotion, and sponsorship of Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, and their devices, and Novel Tobacco Products to protect the citizens from any potential hazards, reduce the harm caused by smoking, and ensure that the sale to minors will be prevented.
