Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday intercepted nine containers of misdeclared vapes and vape-related products worth about PHP137 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led the inspection of the shipments from China, which were declared as cardboard boxes, accessories, packaging bags, kitchenware, underwear, clothes hangers, shoe boxes, and footwear.

According to Philippines News Agency, acting on derogatory information, MICP District Collector Geoffrey De Vera IV issued alert orders authorizing a 100-percent physical inspection of the containers at the Designated Examination Area. The inspection uncovered large quantities of misdeclared vape products that did not match the declared cargo.

Authorities found vape kits, disposable vape devices, vape cartridges, and other vape-related products with an estimated value of PHP136.92 million. Representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Bureau of Investigation joined the verification and assessment of the products in accordance with laws governing their importation and sale.

'We will not tolerate the smuggling of regulated products into the country. The government's regulations for these vape products are clear, and anyone who tries to evade them will be held accountable immediately,' Nepomuceno said in a statement. 'We will continue to tighten security at our ports to protect the public, legitimate businesses, and the public treasury, in accordance with the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,' he added.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and the Enforcement and Security Service.