UMABOT sa mahigit P94 milyong halaga ng smuggled motor parts and accessories at vape products ang nasamsam sa inilunsad na operasyon ng Bureau of Customs sa dalawang bodega sa Manila at Laguna.

Ayon kay BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio, ipinatupad ng isang composite team na pinamunuan ng Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), ang dalawang letters of authority (LOA) upang inspeksiyunin ang mga bodega kung saan natuklasan nila ang P19.075 milyong halaga ng pinaghihinalaang smuggled vape products, at tinatayang P75 milyong na halaga ng smuggled motorcycle parts at accessories.

“Stopping the trafficking of smuggled products is crucial in the prevention of criminal organizations from profiting from unsuspecting consumers. On the other hand, I appeal to our consumers: buying smuggled products puts your health at risk because by not going through the proper process, the safety of these vapes are already compromised,” pahayag ng BOC chief Bienvenido Rubio.

Samantala, inihayag naman ni CIIS Director Verne Enciso, natuklasan at nasamsam din ng team ang tinatayang P6.475 milyong halaga ng vape devices, vape pods, at disposable vapes sa isang bodega sa Quiapo, Manila.

“The total amount of smuggled products found in Manila was around P81.475 million since aside from the vape products, our team also uncovered motorcycle parts and accessories, and we know the prices for these go to the thousands; sometimes, more,” pahayag pa ni Enciso.

Sa isang shop sa San Pedro City, Laguna ay nakumpiska ng composite team ang P12.6 milyong halaga ng smuggled disposable vapes na may iba’t ibang brands, tulad ng Flava, King’s Evo, Grio, at Milan.

Pansamantang ipinadlak ng BOC ang dalawang bodega habang hinihintay ang imbentaryo ng mga produkto na isasagawa ng itinalagang Customs examiners na sasaksihan ng mga kinatawan mula sa CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), at warehouse at shop.

Ang mga may-ari ay nahaharap sa kasong paglabag sa Section 117 (regulated importation and exportation) at Section 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) ng Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Mahaharap din sila sa mga kaso “in accordance with Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, Republic Act 10963, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN Law), and the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Board Resolution No. 079-2005 (amended rules and regulations governing the exportation and importation of leaf tobacco and tobacco products).”

“These crackdowns were conducted in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify our anti-smuggling efforts against the illicit trade of tobacco and vape products,” pahayag pa ni Comm. Rubio.

“Our goal is to protect consumers and the public from the dangers of these illegal substances, which can pose significant health risks and undermine public safety,” dagdag pa ng pinuno ng Aduana. (JESSE KABEL RUIZ)