By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In support of the Department of Health’s (DOH) campaign to keep Filipino youth away from electronic cigarettes and vape products, the government continues its crackdown on the unlawful trade and distribution of such goods in the local market.
This, as the Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated approximately 3,174 boxes of unregistered vape products in an enforcement operation in Navotas City, following gathered intelligence about the storage of these illicit goods that do not comply with the regulatory requirements.
After verifying the report through constant surveillance of the warehouse in question, authorities discovered countless boxes of these misdeclared and unlawfully imported contraband valued at approximately P1 billion.
Initial findings revealed that the seized products are unregistered and lack the required Philippine Standard (PS) License or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC), in violation of Republic Act No. 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act).
The items are likewise subject to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) suspension order on certain brands.
Warehouse representatives were moreover instructed to produce valid documentation of these goods to prove regulatory compliance within 15 days. Failure to comply with the instruction will result in the forfeiture of goods and possible filing of appropriate charges.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized that the operation is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify enforcement against illegal trade and protect consumers.
Comm. Nepomuceno said in a statement, “Malinaw ang mandato ng Pangulo: palakasin ang border control. Hindi lang ito usapin ng paglabag sa batas—usapin ito ng kaligtasan ng publiko. Ang mga produktong hindi rehistrado at hindi dumaan sa tamang pagsusuri ay maaaring magdulot ng panganib sa kalusugan ng mamamayan.”
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