THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday said P1.4 billion worth of illegal vaporized nicotine products were confiscated in a joint operation with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday at a warehouse in San Rafael Village, Navotas City.
Seized were more than 3.2 million units of vape devices and pods, as well as promotional materials, including T-shirts, jackets, caps and lanyards bearing the names of vape brands that have been previously suspended in 2024, said Marcus Valdez II, Trade assistant secretary and head of the Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their Devices and Novel Tobacco Products.
The operation was led by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) agents under Deputy Commissioner Romero Rosales, who confirmed that the products were illegally imported, misdeclared and noncompliant with regulatory requirements.
CIIS operatives found the items lacked Philippine Standard Licenses and Import Commodity Clearance, violating Republic Act (RA) 11900.
The shipments are now under forfeiture proceedings for violations of Sections 117, 1400, 1401; and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act; RA 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act; and relevant DTI regulations.
The products will be subjected to condemnation proceedings to ensure that they are permanently removed from circulation and prevented from reentering the market, Valdez said.
The BOC is also doing a case buildup to identify and prosecute those responsible for the smuggled items, ensuring full accountability under the law and stressing the importance of vigilance in addressing unlawful importation, said Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.
The crackdown follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to tighten border controls and stamp out illegal trade.
“This is not just smuggling, it is a threat to public health,” Nepomuceno said, warning that unregistered vape products bypass safety checks and may pose serious health risks.
Recently, Marcos personally led the public condemnation of over P3 billion worth of smuggled vape products. The seized goods were the result of 10 separate operations conducted by intelligence operatives of the Manila International Container Port, Port of Manila and the BOC Intelligence Group.
Valdez emphasized the risks posed by unregulated products and urged the public to exercise caution and avoid purchasing from unlicensed brands.
The DTI likewise warned establishments found violating the law may face serious administrative and criminal penalties.
Violations related to packaging and health warning requirements may result in fines of up to P2 million and imprisonment of up to two years for the first offense, increasing to P4 million and four years imprisonment for the second offense, and up to P5 million, six years imprisonment, and revocation of license for the third offense.
Meanwhile, violations involving product communication, online trade and product standards may carry fines of P100,000 for the first offense, P200,000 for the second offense and P400,000 or imprisonment of up to three years for the third offense, along with the possible revocation of business permits.
Noncompliant entities may also face recall, ban or seizure of all illegal inventory.
Earlier, on March 12, the DTI and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, with support from the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, confiscated P3.6 million worth of illegal vape products from retailers and distribution hubs in Metro Manila and Region 4A (Calabarzon).