The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has busted an illegal vape sales case in Manila, where five suspects were arrested for selling unregistered products through social media, and more than 25,000 pieces of vapes were seized, with more than US$150,000 involved in the case.
Core Watch:
- Enforcement: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a joint entrapment operation and successfully arrested a five-member criminal gang.
- Means of violation: The suspects sold unregistered vapes through the Facebook page “port2pasok”.
- Amount of money involved: 25,653 vapes were seized, with a market value of about P8.16 million (approximately US$150,000).
- Basis of the law: Violation of Republic Act 11900 (RA 11900), which provides that a person who sells e-cigarettes through social media shall be entitled to the same rights as those of other persons in the country. Republic Act 11900. Cybercrime Prevention Act and three other laws
- FOLLOW-UP: Suspect in NBI custody, case transferred to Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for investigation
Philippine NBI seizes $150,000 in illegal vapes
Agents of the National Capital Region of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of the Philippines arrested five suspects in Santa Cruz, Manila, for allegedly selling and distributing vape products illegally, the Daily Tribune reported on July 7th.
The suspects were accused of using social media, particularly through Facebook.com, port2pasok pages, to distribute vape products that were not approved and registered by the government. This violates Republic Act No. 11900 (Act Regulating Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Vaporized Products). Subsequently, NBI agents conducted a test purchase and confirmed that the items were not registered with the DTI.
Means of violation
On June 27, 2025, the agent conducted another test purchase through the Facebook page. This resulted in the purchase of additional unregistered items, including items labeled “Haze,” “Astra,” and “Black Market.”
Amount of money involved
On July 3, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Office of Special Authorization for Vaporized Nicotine Products (OSAVNP) held a joint briefing before the entrapment operation. Five suspects were arrested in the follow-up operation. Authorities confiscated a total of 25,653 e-cigarette products with an estimated market value of 8.16 million pesos (approximately USD 150,000).
FOLLOW-UP
The suspects are under investigation by the Manila City Attorney’s Office for violations of the Nicotine Vaporized Products Act. The Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Philippine Consumer Act.
They are still being held at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Security Management Unit.
