The Department of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Customs seized an estimated P1.4 billion worth of illicit vaporized nicotine products in a warehouse raid in Navotas City.
Officials said the confiscation stemmed from joint surveillance and enforcement operations at a facility in San Rafael Village, marking a major crackdown on the illegal vape trade.
The operation was carried out using validated intelligence from the BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, which led to the issuance and service of a Letter of Authority on 21 March.
Authorities confiscated around 3,174,000 units of illicit vape devices and pods.
The team also recovered promotional materials, including T-shirts, jackets, caps, and lanyards bearing the names of vape brands that had already been suspended from trading.
DTI Assistant Secretary M. Marcus N. Valdez II said several of the identified brands had been subject to regulatory action in 2024 for packaging violations, including failure to comply with requirements on tax stamps and graphic health warnings.
He warned of the risks posed by unregulated products and urged the public to avoid purchasing from unlicensed brands.
Valdez said the confiscated items will undergo condemnation proceedings once formally turned over to ensure they are permanently removed from circulation.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the operation was made possible through information provided by an informant, reflecting increased public cooperation.
The DTI provided technical support in identifying the brands and determining the value of the seized products.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to intensify efforts against the entry, distribution, and sale of illicit goods in the country.