Upon inspection, they discovered a variety of illegal e-cigarette brands, including Geek Bar, all of which originated from China. In a bid to evade detection, many of these products were falsely declared as non-vaping items with inaccurate values.
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In a significant crackdown on illegal e-cigarettes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today the seizure of approximately three million unauthorized e-cigarette products, valued at an estimated $76 million. This operation, conducted in July, was aimed at inspecting incoming shipments to prevent these dangerous products from entering the United States.
“The FDA is on high alert and, in coordination with our federal partners, remains committed to stopping unauthorized e-cigarettes at our nation’s borders,” stated FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “These products too often end up in kids’ hands, and the newly formed federal task force is well positioned to collectively combat this unscrupulous activity.”
The joint initiative follows the establishment of a federal task force by the FDA and the Department of Justice in June, aimed at reducing the distribution and sale of illegal e-cigarettes. This operation exemplifies the intensified law enforcement efforts across various federal agencies, designed to enhance cooperation and effectiveness in tackling these issues.
“CBP’s trade enforcement mission places a significant emphasis on intercepting illicit products that could harm American consumers,” said Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner for CBP. “We will continue to work with our enforcement partners to identify and seize unsafe and unlawful goods.”
The operation resulted from months of diligent preparation, during which the joint team analyzed shipping invoices and pinpointed suspicious incoming shipments. Upon inspection, they discovered a variety of illegal e-cigarette brands, including Geek Bar, all of which originated from China. In a bid to evade detection, many of these products were falsely declared as non-vaping items with inaccurate values.
“This isn’t the first joint seizure operation, and it won’t be the last – we will continue to relentlessly pursue those attempting to smuggle illegal e-cigarettes,” remarked Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “The $76 million these bad actors just put in the dumpster should be a sobering reminder that their time and money would be better spent complying with the law.”
The federal task force will continue its mission to halt the illegal importation and distribution of unauthorized e-cigarette products in the U.S. This could involve investigating and prosecuting violations under various laws, including the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Such violations carry serious consequences, including felony convictions and substantial fines, alongside the seizure of unauthorized products aimed at protecting youth from harmful substances.
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