The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized more than P1.4 billion worth of e-cigarettes or vapes during a raid at a warehouse in Valenzuela City on Friday.
The raiding team made an initial inspection at the warehouse situated at 18 Bagong Filipino Industrial Compound (BFIC), Gregorio Street, Canumay West, and found 14,000 boxes containing 1.4 million pieces of 10ml disposable vape bearing the mark Flava.
Commissioner Bien Rubio said the amount is the total aggregate value of 1.4 million pieces of 10ml disposable vape worth P700 million at P500 per piece, and the P728 million worth based on the P52 excise tax per 1 ml of e-cigarette or vape.
“Remember that we have an excise tax currently being imposed on tobacco products? That’s why the value of this operation ballooned to more than P1 billion. These kinds of activities do not only adversely impact our local tobacco industry, but it also takes away from the government a sizeable chunk of money that we can use for our infrastructure programs, social services,” he said.
The operation was based on the Letter of Authority signed and issued by Rubio following information received by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).
“We received the information last Oct. 24 that a warehouse in Valenzuela City is being utilized as storage of voluminous illegally imported e-cigarettes or vape products without proper payment of correct duties and taxes,” CIIS Director Verne Enciso said.
The CIIS requested the issuance of a Letter of Authority after verification and identifying the warehouse. The LOA requires the warehouse owner or representative to provide proof of payment of duties and taxes.
The team, composed of CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service-Port of Manila (ESS-POM), and BOC’s Legal Service, coordinated with the Northern Police District before proceeding to Barangay Canumay West for the operation.
Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy stated that warehouse owners and representatives have been given a deadline to submit necessary documents and proof of taxes paid, as failure to do so could result in the filing of criminal charges against them.
“We’re all probably aware and have seen viral videos, of vapes exploding. Beyond the illegality of these smuggling activities, what concerns us more is the danger posed by these products to unwitting customers,” Uy said.
“We’re not just here to stop the illegal entry of these kinds of products because of the taxes we’re losing, but one of our primary missions is to intercept products that could pose a serious health risk to consumers,” he added.