By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Police arrested a Chinese national and seized unregistered vape products worth PHP9.1 million in Bulacan province.
In a statement Thursday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the suspect, alias Ping, was nabbed in an operation by the group’s Bulacan and Pampanga field units in Barangay Prenza in Marilao town on May 20.
Authorities seized 26,000 pieces of assorted “Eutral” brand vape products during the operation.
The suspect was charged with violation of Section 19 of Republic Act 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation) for failing to register the products with the Department of Trade and Industry and Bureau of Internal Revenue.
“With this confiscation in huge quantity, we significantly protect the citizens from any potential health hazards that may occur from these unregistered vape products, and we arrested the alleged seller of these illicit items,” Torre said.
He said the operation complies with PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil’s directive to enhance the efficiency of crime prevention and solution, and intensify operations against all forms of criminality and violation of laws, including the illegal sale of vape products nationwide.
“We urge the public to report all illegal trading of any products in your localities and the CIDG will do the rest,” Torre added. (PNA)
