Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. reports that during the nationwide raid against illicit vape last November 19, 2024 the BIR caught a vape store selling illicit vape through a secret “menu”. Commissioner Lumagui himself raided and inspected the premises, after which he discovered that the products displayed in the illicit vape “menu” were not displayed in the store itself, but stocked in a bodega behind the store. The illicit vape store raided by Commissioner Lumagui is located in Tomas Morato, one of the prime commercial centers in Quezon City.
“We raided a vape store with a secret ‘menu’ and bodega for illicit vape during our nationwide raid today. The vape store displayed legal vape, but once you ask for illicit vape, they will bring the ‘menu’ and get the illicit vape from the bodega. We know what you are doing. We will not stop raiding your stores. We will continue with our nationwide raids. Expect criminal cases,” Commissioner Lumagui stated.
The aforementioned vape store was selling vape without internal revenue stamps. The BIR also discovered that the store failed to issue an original receipt upon purchase of the illicit vape.
Details of the seized products and the raided establishments during the nationwide raid are currently being consolidated. The BIR will update the public as soon as the details are available.
“Report illicit vape retailers/resellers, with addresses, and the BIR will raid them. You can also report illicit vape being sold online, just provide us with the website link. All reports on illicit vape can be forwarded to [email protected],” Commissioner Lumagui stated.
