CONFISCATED VAPE PRODUCTS. The Bureau of Internal Revenue's Illicit Trade Task Force and National Bureau of Investigation agents confiscate 7,920 pieces of illicit vape products during a raid at the Taytay Tiangge Market in Rizal provonce on Thursday (Aug. 8, 2024). The BIR said the estimated tax liability amounted to over PHP6 million. (Photo from BIR)
MANILA – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have confiscated 7,920 pieces of illicit vape products at a bazaar in Taytay, Rizal.
In a statement on Friday, the BIR said the illicit vape products with an estimated PHP6.82 million tax liability were confiscated during a raid on Aug. 8.
"The BIR Illicit Trade Task Force, with operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation, raided the Taytay Tiangge Market and discovered thousands of illicit vape products, including Flava. We have confiscated these illicit vape products, will destroy them, and will proceed to collect taxes and file cases against those selling them," BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.
"This raid was made possible due to a report from a concerned citizen. The BIR welcomes all informants, whether from the private or public sector, in our war against illicit trade. The Illicit Trade Task Force of the BIR will act on all verified targets," he added.
The BIR said it acted on a report provided by a concerned citizen about a market stall selling vape products without BIR internal revenue stamps, mainly Flava brands.
BIR agents conducted surveillance on the market, which led to the discovery of a warehouse in Barangay San Juan.
The BIR said all vape products seized had no stamps and the stall and warehouse were not registered.
The business also did not have a permit to operate and failed to issue official receipts or invoices.
The BIR said these are all violations of the Tax Code.
"We encourage the public to report vape products being sold without internal revenue stamps," Lumagui said. (PNA)
