UNREGULATED VAPES

PARAÑAQUE CITY, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation-Cavite North District Office (NBI-CAVIDO-North), under the supervision of NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), has arrested two individuals and seized approximately ₱3.9 million worth of unregulated vape products in Parañaque City. The arrests were made for alleged violations of Republic Act 11900, also known as the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.”

The operation stemmed from information received by NBI-CAVIDO-North regarding the alleged sale and distribution of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products that failed to comply with the registration requirements mandated by RA 11900.

A certification from the Department of Trade and Industry – Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products (DTI-OSMV) confirmed that the vape products in question were considered unregulated and substandard. Consequently, an entrapment operation was organized with DTI personnel to apprehend the subjects, identified as Ace Dela Cruz Garcia and Reginald Ventura Llanto, in flagrante delicto.

On July 2, 2025, after several hours of transaction and waiting, the entrapment was successfully consummated. Garcia and Llanto were arrested, and multiple boxes of vape products were recovered from them.

The seized items included 49 master cases containing 8,200 pieces of vape pods and 1,600 pieces of vape devices, among other items. An inventory conducted by NBI-CAVIDO-North agents and DTI personnel estimated the total value of the seized products at ₱3,920,000.00.

Both subjects were subsequently presented for inquest proceedings before the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office.