P9.1 million vape products seized from Chinese

MANILA, Philippines — Unregistered vape products valued at P9.1 million were seized from a Chinese businessman in Marilao, Bulacan, the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group reported yesterday.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the Chinese, identified only as Ping, was arrested during the raid in Barangay Prenza I at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. At least 26,000 pieces of “Eutral” brand vapes were confiscated.

According to Torre, Ping was placed under surveillance after the CIDG received information on the sale of vape products without permits from the Department of Trade and Industry.

“With this confiscation, we significantly protect citizens from any potential health hazards that may occur from using these unregistered products,” Torre said in a statement.

Torre said a complaint for violation of Republic Act 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act was filed against Ping.

He urged the public to report to the police people who are involved in the sale of unregistered vape products.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) uprooted P3.6 million worth of marijuana at a plantation site in Tinglayan, Kalinga on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, PDEG director, said operatives found the plantation in Barangay Loccong and destroyed about 18,000 marijuana plants.

Capoy said a manhunt was launched against the cultivator.