A RAID conducted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) over the weekend on another warehouse in Valenzuela City yielded an estimated P1.18 billion worth of allegedly smuggled disposable vapes, vape pods, and other products.

Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said on Sunday that in addition to disposable vapes and vape pods, the CIIS-MICP team also found used clothing, handheld and desk fans, phone chargers, Chinese food items, wireless headsets, disposable syringes, office chairs, wall panels, and other assorted merchandise.

"We are seeing many Filipinos, especially the younger generations, shift to vapes (e-cigarettes) from traditional tobacco products. This shift in the market makes border control measures all the more important because we need to ensure we put safe, tested, and licensed vape products out there," said Rubio.

"I'd like to reiterate to our kababayan that it is dangerous to use vape products, especially if they haven't gone through regulatory testing and procedures. Using smuggled vapes can put your health at risk," he added.

CIIS Director Verne Enciso said the seized vapes, used clothing, and fake goods came from China.

Following an initial inventory, Enciso added, the vape products found were worth more or less P320,069,900, while the other products were valued at an estimated P860 million or a total of P1,180,069,900.

"We found various vape brands in the warehouse during the inspection. The total of P320 million for the e-cigarettes alone includes the excise taxes that the government should have collected from the importation of these products. Once again, our BOC personnel showed exemplary resilience and dedication in stopping these products from entering the domestic market," Enciso said.

Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said the warehouse was temporarily padlocked and sealed, pending investigation and complete inventory of the goods.

Uy said the warehouse and shop owners can face charges for violating Section 117 (regulated importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to Section 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture).

They will also face charges under Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, Republic Act 10963, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train Law), and the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Board Resolution 079-2005 (amended rules and regulations governing the exportation and importation of leaf tobacco and tobacco products).