The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) conducted a raid at the Philippine Vape Festival 2024 in Las Piñas on Sunday, seizing a large number of illegal vape products.
BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. led the operation, which targeted vape products being sold without the required internal revenue stamps.
Surveillance of the event had confirmed the presence of these unstamped products, prompting immediate action by the BIR Illicit Trade Task Force (ITTF).
"We have given the vape industry every warning. The BIR will raid all venues with illicit vape, even on weekends or holidays. We will raid festivals. We will raid public markets. We will raid warehouses. You will face criminal charges for tax evasion," Commissioner Lumagui warned.
He further encouraged informants to report locations or events where illicit vape products are being sold, assuring that the BIR ITTF will act on all verified leads.
Earlier this month, the BIR also raided the Taytay Tiangge Market for selling illegal vape products, including the brand Flava. In another operation, a vending machine dispensing illicit vape products was confiscated from a building in Quezon City, where it was accessible to minors.
The inventory of the confiscated products from the Philippine Vape Festival is still ongoing.
"The illicit vape being displayed at this festival shows the brazen attitude of the vape industry against the proper taxation of vape products. They even organized a festival filled with illicit vape. The full strength of the BIR Illicit Trade Task Force will be deployed against this industry," Commissioner Lumagui stated.
