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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BOC busts P1 billion worth of smuggled vapes, ukay-ukay in Malabon

BOC busts P1 billion worth of smuggled vapes, ukay-ukay in Malabon

Published Mar 3, 2024 02:58 am

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized illegally imported vape and ukay-ukay products worth P1.073 billion from various warehouses in Malabon.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said that about 20 warehouses located baranggay Potrero, Malabon City were suspected of being used to store smuggled vape products.

“Our operations against these smuggling groups will not stop until they are all held liable for their crimes. This recent enforcement of our laws sends a clear message that these activities will not go unchecked on our watch,” Rubio said.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso stressed the importance of these operations in the agency's fight against smuggling.

“Our officers have remained vigilant in their enforcement efforts to prevent the entry of smuggled products into our country. The operations these past couple of days show how serious we are in the CIIS to disrupt the flow of these activities and stop them at all cost,” he said.

Enciso said that the initial inspection uncovered 20 warehouses, with one of them containing 8,400 boxes of Flava-branded vapes. 

These vapes, priced at P550 each with 100 pieces per box, totaled P462 million. Including the P520 excise tax per unit, the total value of the seized vapes was P898.8 million, the BOC estimated.

Following inspections of 15 more warehouses, various items such as shoes, hardware supplies, ukay-ukay clothing, unbranded clothes, household items, and others were also found with an estimated value of P174.2 million.

In total, the goods found in the 16 warehouses amounted to P1.073 billion, Encis said.

Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy, said the remaining three warehouses will undergo inventory by the designated Customs examiner from the Port of Manila on Monday, March 4.

“The dedicated efforts of our CIIS agents not only resulted in the successful interception of these illegally imported products from entering our markets and possibly harming our consumers, but it also shows that we continue to be a formidable force against these illegal activities,” he added.

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Bureau of Customs (BoC) Vapes
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