The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have intensified their crackdown on unregistered and substandard vape products, following a major raid in Laguna last week.

Over P1 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes, including fake brands and smuggled items, during operations targeting warehouses and vendors in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Many of the seized products were unregistered, lacked proper permits, and failed to meet safety standards.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago stated that monitoring illegal vape sales has become increasingly complex, with vendors using deceptive packaging to avoid detection. Some products were traced to foreign sources, while others were distributed locally through online platforms and underground suppliers.

DTI officials stressed that legitimate vape products must have proper labels and certifications. They urged consumers to check for licenses to avoid buying counterfeit or potentially harmful items.

The NBI’s cybercrime unit is also tracking online sellers, while further investigations are underway to dismantle larger smuggling networks.

An NBI official said the operation is crucial to protecting public health and curbing illegal trade. Santiago, meanwhile, said the crackdown on unregistered vape products will continue as inspections expand across Metro Manila and other high-risk areas.