NBI ARRESTS 2 VAPE DEALERS, SEIZES P3.9M WORTH OF VAPE PRODUCTS IN PARAÑAQUE BUY-BUST

OPERATIVES led by the National Bureau of Investigation North District Office (CAVIDO-North) arrested two men and seized some P3.9 million of vape products in a raid in Parañaque City.

NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.) identified the arrested suspects as Ace dela Cruz Garcia and Reginald Ventura Llanto.

The two were charged for violation of Sections 4 (d), 12 (j) and 18 of Republic Act 11900 otherwise known as “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.”

Santiago said the case stemmed from information received by the NBI-CAVIDO North on the alleged sale and distribution of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products that are non-compliant with the registration requirements prescribed by RA 11900.

A certification was issued by the Department of Trade and Industry – Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products (DTI-OSMV), which revealed that the vape products submitted were considered unregulated and substandard.

Thus, an entrapment operation was set, together with DTI personnel, to arrest the  suspects.

On July 02, 2025, after several hours of transaction and waiting, the entrapment was finally consummated.

The suspects were arrested and several boxes of vape products were recovered from them.

Seized during the operation were 49 master cases which contain 8,200 pieces of vape pod and 1,600 pieces of vape device.

An inventory conducted by the agents of NBI-CAVIDO-North and DTI personnel estimated the  value of the seized vape products at P3,920,000.

The arrested suspects were presented for inquest proceedings before the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office.