MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation–National Capital Region (NBI-NCR), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), arrested five individuals and confiscated more than P8.1 million worth of unregistered vape products during an entrapment operation in Sta. Cruz, Manila, on July 3, 2025.

The arrested suspects were identified as Vincent G. Sulima, Christian F. Lao, John Rey E. Petallar, Renz Joel R. Penson, and Mercy T. Villon. The NBI operation stemmed from an intelligence report indicating that Sulima was operating an online illegal vape business at 1753 Felix Huertas Road using social media platforms, particularly facebook.com/port2pasok, to sell unregistered products.

Undercover agents were able to purchase vape products from the suspects in both physical and online test-buys. The products, including brands like “Haze,” “Astra,” and “Black Market,” were later confirmed by the DTI to be unregistered under Republic Act No. 11900, the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

The joint NBI-DTI team conducted the entrapment operation on the evening of July 3 following a coordination and briefing with the DTI-Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine Products. The raid led to the in flagrante delicto arrest of Sulima and his four accomplices and the seizure of 25,653 vape products, with a total estimated value of ₱8,164,570.

The suspects underwent inquest proceedings before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for multiple violations including:

• Sections 4, 5, 18, and 23(d) of RA 11900;
• Section 6 of RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act);
• Section 40 (j) and (k) of RA 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), also in relation to RA 10175.

They are currently detained at the NBI-Security Management Division (SMD).