The Daily Tribune
Smuggled vapes worth P3.26B destroyed
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the destruction of nearly three million smuggled electronic cigarettes and vape parts valued at PHP3.26 billion.
The confiscated items were seized in 10 separate operations by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) across various areas in Metro Manila last year.
President Marcos Jr. was joined by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, and BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio during the event.
Marcos commended the BOC, the Department of Finance, and the Department of Trade and Industry for their effective collaboration in combatting smuggling.
He noted that in 2023 alone, the government confiscated over P3 billion worth of electronic vapes, with numbers doubling last year.
The President expressed concern that the packaging of these vape products is designed to target minors.
He also highlighted the serious problem of undocumented and uninspected smuggled vapes.
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President Marcos reaffirmed the government's dedication to safeguarding public health, emphasizing its priority over potential revenue losses from smuggling.
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The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is intensifying its campaign against smugglers and tax evaders in the vape and tobacco industries as part of the Marcos administration's initiative to curb illicit trade and protect public health.
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Authorities confiscated smuggled cigarettes valued at PHP20,431,800 and apprehended two individuals in Mandaue City.
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Three individuals, identified as Joveven Tanazao, Jerome S. Solaiman, and Darrel Wee, were arrested in Zamboanga City on Tuesday, April 1, for possession of smuggled cigarettes valued at P2.8 million.
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