Agents from the National Bureau of Investigation-Cavite North District Office (NBI-CAVIDO North) have arrested two individuals and confiscated millions of pesos worth of illegal vape products during a sting operation on July 2, 2025.
The operation, conducted under the directive of NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), led to the arrest of Ace Dela Cruz Garcia and Reginald Ventura Llanto. Both were apprehended in Parañaque City for allegedly violating Sections 4(d), 12(j), and 18 of Republic Act No. 11900, also known as the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.”
According to the NBI, the case originated from reports that the suspects were involved in the sale and distribution of unregistered and non-compliant vape products. A certification issued by the Department of Trade and Industry – Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products (DTI-OSMV) confirmed that the items under investigation were unregulated and failed to meet safety standards.
In coordination with DTI personnel, the NBI set up an entrapment operation to catch the suspects in the act. After hours of surveillance and transaction monitoring, agents arrested Garcia and Llanto and seized 49 master cases of vape items, including 8,200 vape pods and 1,600 vape devices.
The total value of the confiscated products is estimated at ₱3.92 million, based on the inventory conducted by NBI and DTI personnel.
Following their arrest, the suspects were brought before the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings.
