The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said on Thursday it has seized more than 81,000 illicit vape pods with P543.74 million in tax liabilities, including penalties, at a residential compound in Marilao, Bulacan.
In a joint operation with the National Bureau of Investigation on May 8, the BIR confiscated 406 master cases of 81,200 vape pods under the brand Team Papa.
The vape products were discovered without the mandatory BIR-issued excise stamps, violating the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
“Criminals engaged in illicit vaping are already using houses and residential compounds to hide their illegal activities. (If they are) thinking that we cannot reach them, think again,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said in a statement.
“We call on everyone to report all forms of illicit vape. They are hiding in villages. They are hiding in residential compounds,” he said.
“Once reported and verified, the BIR will raid these locations and file cases against these criminals. Illicit vape criminals have no place in our homes and neighborhoods. They threaten the peace of our residences,” he added.
The unidentified perpetrators face possible charges for multiple violations of the National Internal Revenue Code, including: Section 258 – Unlawful Pursuit of Business; Section 263 – Unlawful Possession or Removal of Articles Subject to Excise Tax Without Payment of the Tax; and Section 254 – Attempt to Defeat or Evade Payment of Taxes.
Lumagui urged the public to report retailers and resellers of illicit vape products by providing their names and exact locations.
