On April 10, 2025, at about 2:00 PM in Naguilian, La Union, operatives of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 1 (RACU 1) conducted an entrapment operation that led to the arrest of two male suspects, alias “Hue,” 28 years old, and alias “Ali,” 21 years old, for illegal online sale of smuggled and unregistered electronic cigarettes, commonly known as “vape.” Upon arrest, authorities confiscated a total of 108 pieces of unregistered e-cigarettes.

The operation stemmed from the intensified cyber patrolling of RACU 1, wherein operatives discovered a post on Facebook Marketplace by “Hue,” openly selling e-cigarettes priced between Php350.00 and Php600.00. Upon coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), RACU 1 confirmed that the items being sold were unregistered and unregulated.

“Hue” is facing charges for violations of Section 10 of RA No. 10643 (The Graphic Health Warnings Law), Section 254 of RA No. 8424 (Tax Reform Act of 1997), and Sections 4(f) and 8 of RA No. 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act), all in relation to Section 6 of RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).

Meanwhile, “Ali” is facing charges for violation of Section 5 (Aiding or Abetting in the Commission of Cybercrime) of RA 10175.

The operation aligns with the directive of Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, Chief of the PNP, to intensify cyber patrolling and pursue legal action to prevent cybercriminals from operating on social media platforms. Police Brigadier General Bernard R. Yang, Acting Director of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), commended RACU 1 operatives for the successful entrapment operation. “The sale of unauthorized vape products is prohibited due to the lack of quality assurance and potential health risks. The PNP ACG is committed to intensifying operations to stop the spread of these unregulated items, and online sellers will be held accountable under the law,” he added.