BOC seizes P19 million in smuggled vape products in Manila, Laguna

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized P19.075 million worth of suspected smuggled vape products in warehouses in Manila and Laguna, with warehouse owners possibly facing charges for violating the  Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

The BOC said the smuggled goods were seized in operations last Friday-August 23, 2024: P6.475 million worth of vape devices, vape pods, and disposable vapes branded Relx and Top Fog in the Quiapo, Manila warehouse, along with P75 million in smuggled motorcycle parts and accessories.

A composite team also seized some P12.6 million worth of smuggled disposable vapes branded Flava,  King’s Evo, Grio, and Milan in the warehouse in San Pedro City, Laguna.

Warehouse and shop owners may face charges for allegedly violating sections on regulated importation and exportation, and misdeclaration of goods of the CMTA. Both locations have since been padlocked.

Owners can also face charges relating to the Intellectual Property Code of the  Philippines, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), and a resolution of the National Tobacco Administration on the trade of leaf tobacco and tobacco products.

The goods are to be inventoried by assigned examiners, to be witnessed by the Customs  Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), the Enforcement and  Security Service (ESS), and the warehouse and shop owners.

“Stopping the trafficking of smuggled products is crucial in the prevention of criminal organizations from profiting from unsuspecting consumers,” BOC  commissioner Bien Rubio said in a statement released on Sunday.

“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 is already compromised,” he added.

The BOC — mandated to supervise and control the clearance of vessels and aircraft engaged in foreign commerce — is tasked to collect nearly P1  trillion this year after generating P883.624 billion in revenues in  2023. — DVM, GMA Integrated News