Customs seizes P1-B contraband in Malabon

OPERATIVES of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) seized another shipment of smuggled vape pens and other products worth P1.073 billion as they continued their anti-smuggling operations over the weekend.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio on Sunday said that around 20 warehouses in Potrero, Malabon City, were identified as storage facilities for 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 under our watch,” he said.

CIIS Director Verne Enciso said that an initial inspection of the location revealed a total of 20 warehouses, and the CIIS team was able to open one warehouse where they found 8,400 boxes of Flava-branded vape pens.

Containing 100 pieces per box at P550 a piece, the market value of the smuggled e-cigarettes or “vape pens” found was pegged at P462 million. Adding the P520 excise tax that the government must collect for every vape pen, the total aggregate value of the vape products would be P898.8 million.

The CIIS director said that 15 other warehouses were opened and inspected. They contained branded and unbranded shoes, hardware supplies, used clothing, household items, and others products amounting to an estimated P174.2 million.

Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the remaining three warehouses will be inventoried on Monday, March 4.

All warehouse representatives were reminded that they have 15 days to provide proof of payment of duties and taxes covering the goods stored and found or face charges for violation of Republic Act 10863, or the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.”

Earlier, CIIS operatives seized P3.72 billion worth of smuggled vape pens following a raid on several warehouses in the cities of Malabon and Parañaque.