OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a Chinese allegedly selling unregistered vape products in Bulacan.
In a statement last Wednesday night, the CIDG said the operation also resulted in the seizure of 26,000 pieces of assorted “Eutral” brand vape products worth P9.1 million.
The suspect, identified only as Ping, was nabbed in Barangay Prenza 1 in Marilao last Tuesday while selling vape products without the required permits and authority from the Department of Trade and Industry.
The CIDG said Ping had been charged before the National Prosecution Service for violation of Section 19 of Republic Act No. 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation).
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III commended the CIDG’s Bulacan and Pampanga field units for the successful operation.
“With this confiscation in huge quantity, we significantly protect the citizens from any potential health hazards that may occur from these unregistered vape products; and we arrested the alleged seller of these illicit items,” said Torre.
Torre assured the public that the CIDG is “unyielding” in the fight against all forms of crimes and violations of laws and remains steadfast in implementing the laws for everyone, regardless of their nationality.
“We urge the public to report all illegal trading of any products in your localities and the CIDG will do the rest,” the CIDG chief also said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has called for stronger action from law enforcement agencies to prosecute illegal traders of cigarettes and vapes in the Philippines.
In a recent hearing on tobacco excise taxes, Gatchalian described the illicit trade as “the devil in our country” and said it was causing significant problems.
“This illicit trade is crippling our revenue and jeopardizing public health,” Gatchalian said, adding that 70 percent to 80 percent of vape products are illegal.
He cited the urgency of the problem, noting the increasing use of vapes among the youth and the dangers posed by unregistered products with unknown contents.
Gatchalian’s statement echoed growing concerns among stakeholders that while enforcement operations are increasing, prosecutions remain scarce.
Government data showed that out of 1,296 enforcement actions against illicit traders by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), only two have resulted in prosecution. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reported conducting 1,785 enforcement operations, securing only one prosecution.
“In other words, there’s no certainty of prosecution. If there’s no certainty of prosecution, people will not be afraid of getting penalized or being imposed with penalties when they smuggle cigarettes in our country,” Gatchalian said.
He demanded “credible, feasible, effective” action from regulatory bodies like the BIR and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). “We want action already… This is what will kill the children,” he said, referring to the rise of illegal vape products appealing to young people.
Gatchalian advocated for a full-time inter-agency task force with dedicated funding and resources to combat illicit trade. He stressed the need for proper funding and incentives for enforcement agencies to operate effectively.
The senator also stated that retailers of smuggled products were complicit in exposing Filipino youth to harmful and often unregulated products.
