Philippine Authorities Seize 180,000 Illegal E-Cigarette Products Worth Approximately $1.13 Million

Key Points:

1.The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the Philippines announced on its official website that the Cybercrime Division (CCD) conducted three joint operations in May 2025, resulting in the seizure of smuggled e-cigarettes valued at a total of 63 million pesos (approximately 1.13 million US dollars).

2.This case is being led by Director Jaime Santiago, in collaboration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

3.Law enforcement arrested five individuals, including Chinese, Singaporean, and Thai citizens, as well as two Filipinos, for violations of RA 11900 and RA 8424 laws.

4.The suspect organized distribution through online platforms and hid large quantities of unregistered products in warehouses. The case has been transferred to relevant authorities for further investigation.

According to an announcement posted on the official website of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the Philippines, the NBI Cybercrime Division (CCD) seized smuggled e-cigarette products worth 63 million pesos (1.13 million US dollars) in three separate operations.

The announcement stated that the series of operations, led by Customs Commissioner Jaime B. Santiago, received assistance from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). During the third operation in Marilao, Bulacan Province, Parañaque City, and Pasay City, the CCD confiscated a significant amount of illegally imported and distributed e-cigarette products, estimated to be worth 63 million Philippine pesos.

This series of operations also led to the arrest of two Filipinos and three foreigners for violating Republic Act No. 11900 (Act on the Importation, Manufacture, Sale, Packaging, Distribution, Use, and Dissemination of Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products and Novel Tobacco Products) and Republic Act No. 8424 (Tax Reform Act).

The announcement stated that CCD discovered during online patrols that there was a large-scale import, sale, and distribution of illegal nicotine e-cigarette products in Marilao, Bulacan Province. After identifying the suspects through technical means, CCD obtained their contact information and social media accounts involved in the illegal import and distribution of products. In order to gather evidence and further infiltrate the operation, undercover buyers purchased a large quantity of illegal products.

On May 8, 2025, CCD law enforcement officers conducted an operation in Marilao, Bulacan province, and discovered and seized 85,200 e-cigarette products containing nicotine salts.

On May 21, 2025, CCD enforcement officers seized 25,000 unregistered e-cigarette products in Paranak City. The operation also led to the arrest of two foreigners, Jonathan Kher Junxian from Singapore and Natkrita Phakhinniphat from Thailand.

On May 26, 2025, CCD enforcement officers in Pasig City apprehended Filipino nationals Mathew Francisco Ramos, Iris Hui Del Rosario, and Chinese national Jiang Xing for possession of unregistered e-cigarette products. One of the suspects revealed the location of their warehouse in Parañaque City, leading to the seizure of 72,000 units of unregistered e-cigarette products.

CCD enforcement officers confiscated over 180,000 e-cigarette products in three separate operations.