By Anna Leah Gonzales
MANILA – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it recently seized over 81,000 illicit vape pods with over PHP543 million in tax liabilities.
In a statement Thursday, BIR said the illicit vape products were confiscated during a joint enforcement operation with the National Bureau of Investigation on May 8 at a residential compound in Marilao, Bulacan.
Inside the garage of the raided house, 406 master cases containing an estimated 81,200 vape pods under the brand “TEAM PAPA” were confiscated.
BIR said the vape products were discovered without the mandatory BIR-issued excise stamps which is a violation of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.
“Criminals engaged in illicit vape are already using houses and residential compounds to hide their illegal activities. In this house in Marilao, Bulacan we discovered 81,200 illicit vape pods with more than 540 million in tax liability, including penalties. These criminals are now hiding in houses and villages, thinking that we cannot reach them. Think again,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui said.
“We call on everyone to report all forms of illicit vape. They are hiding in villages. They are hiding in residential compounds. Once reported and verified, the BIR will raid these locations and file cases against these criminals,” Lumagui added.
He urged the public to report retailers and resellers of illicit vape products by providing their names and exact locations.
The BIR is urging the public to report illegal vape sales conducted online, including website links. (PNA)
