BoC cracks down on smuggled vapes

(UPDATE) THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) confiscated P3.72 billion worth of smuggled vapes following a series of raids in Malabon and Parañaque.

«This is an ongoing active investigation and inspection. We are not yet done examining these warehouses, but we will be able to determine at the soonest time possible the exact amount of smuggled vapes they contain,» Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said on Friday.

He added that the raid in a warehouse inside the Olivarez Compound in San Dionisio, Parañaque City yielded an estimated 1.5 million worth of Flava brand e-cigarettes in assorted flavors.

«To be more precise, there were around 15,000 boxes of vapes, with 100 pieces per box. That's a total of 1.5 million pieces of vapes. The current market value is P500 per piece, so that's a total of P750 million. Add to that the excise tax that should be collected, and the total estimated sum up value would be P1.53 billion,» Rubio said.

Rubio warned smugglers that the BoC was committed to bring them to justice.

«I hope this seizure serves as a reminder to those who look to circumvent our laws that BoC is steadfast in its commitment to enforce our responsibility of border protection,» he said.