• A Bureau of Customs warehouse inspection in Valenzuela City yielded over P1.18 billion worth of undocumented vape products and general merchandise
• 182,250 units of disposable vapes and 80,800 vape pods, valued at P320 million, including excise taxes, were discovered
• Other items included used clothing, electronic accessories, Chinese food items, disposable syringes, and office furniture
• The warehouse was sealed pending full inventory and legal proceedings
A Bureau of Customs (BOC) warehouse inspection in Valenzuela City yielded over P1.18 billion worth of undocumented vape products and general merchandise.
Acting on intelligence reports, operatives from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port, backed by the Philippine Coast Guard-Task Force Aduana and local law enforcement, inspected a facility in Barangay Canumay West on March 13.
The raid led to the discovery of 182,250 units of disposable vapes and 80,800 vape pods, with an estimated market value of P320 million, inclusive of excise taxes, BOC said in a statement.
In addition to the illicit vape products, authorities found a stockpile of contraband goods, including used clothing (ukay-ukay), electronic accessories, Chinese food items, disposable syringes, and office furniture.
Following the operation, the warehouse was temporarily sealed, pending a full inventory and legal review. The BOC is recommending the issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention for the smuggled vape products and used clothing, which are regulated and prohibited, respectively.
Owners of the goods were given 15 days to present proof of payment of duties and taxes; failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of their items in favor of the government.
Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio emphasized the agency’s “efforts to combat smuggling and enforce customs laws.” He warned that violators will face the full extent of the law as enforcement measures continue to be strengthened.
MICP District Collector Rizalino Torralba commended the swift and intelligence-driven operation, stating that the port “remains vigilant in its efforts to uphold trade facilitation while ensuring strict compliance with customs laws.”
