Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. led a nationwide raid on Nov. 19, 2024, targeting vape stores engaged in the illegal sale of vape products.
The BIR said that at one establishment along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City, a secret “menu” of illicit vape items was uncovered.
Products from this “menu,” lacking internal revenue stamps, were stored in a concealed bodega behind the shop, he said.
The BIR also confirmed the store’s failure to issue original receipts for these products.
“We raided a vape store with a secret ‘menu’ and bodega for illicit vape during our nationwide raid today. The vape store displayed legal vape, but once you ask for illicit vape, they will bring the ‘menu’ and get the illicit vape from the bodega. We know what you are doing. We will not stop raiding your stores. We will continue with our nationwide raids. Expect criminal cases,” Lumagui said.
The vape store was selling vape without internal revenue stamps, it said. The BIR also discovered that the store failed to issue an original receipt upon purchase of the illicit vape.
Details of the seized products and the raided establishments during the nationwide raid are being consolidated, the BIR said.
“Report illicit vape retailers/resellers, with addresses, and the BIR will raid them. You can also report illicit vape being sold online, just provide us with the website link. All reports on illicit vape can be forwarded to commissioner@bir.gov.ph,” Lumagui said.
