NBI, DTI arrest five over P8.1-M illegal vape distribution in Manila

Authorities arrested five individuals for illegal vape distribution in Manila and seized unregistered items amounting to P8 million, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Monday.

According to the NBI, a team of the NBI and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) arrested the five individuals in an entrapment operation in Santa Cruz, Manila on July 3.

They confiscated 25,653 vape products with a market value of P8,164,570.

The NBI said one of the suspects was reportedly using media platforms to market unregistered vape products, which is a violation of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

Meanwhile, the five were presented for inquest proceedings before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Regulations Act, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 as well as violation of the Consumer Act of the Philippines, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

The bureau said the arrested individuals are currently under the custody of the NBI-Security Management Division. —KG, GMA Integrated News