Joint FDA, federal operation seizes $76 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes
Date：2024-10-23 10:16:03 Classification
：【Statute】 Visits：
October 22, 2024
The U.S. FDA, in cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the administrative seizure of approximately 3 million unauthorized e-cigarette products with an estimated retail value of $76 million. The seizure was part of a joint operation in July aimed at checking incoming consignments and preventing illegal e-cigarettes from entering the country.
"The FDA is on high alert and, in coordination with our federal partners, remains committed to stopping unauthorized e-cigarettes at our borders," said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Kaliff, MD. "These products often end up at our borders. children, and the newly formed federal task force is fully capable of working together to combat this unethical activity."
In June, the FDA and Justice Department announced a joint federal task force to curb the distribution and sale of illegal e-cigarettes. Such operations are an example of ongoing enforcement efforts by federal agencies, which are increasing in frequency as the task force is formed.
“CBP’s trade enforcement mission places a strong emphasis on interdicting illegal products that could harm American consumers,” said Troy A. Miller, the senior official performing the duties of CBP Commissioner. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and seize unsafe and illegal merchandise."
In preparation for this operation, the joint team spent several months reviewing shipping invoices, identifying potential irregularities, and completing other investigative work that led to this successful operation. After inspecting all shipments from China, the team discovered various brands of illegal e-cigarettes, including Geek Bar and others. In order to evade duties and detection, most of these unauthorized e-cigarettes are deliberately misdeclared as items unrelated to e-cigarette products and with incorrect values. Products seized and forfeited to the government will be disposed of in accordance with the regulations of CBP authorities.
“This is not the first joint seizure, and it won’t be the last — we will continue to relentlessly pursue those who attempt to smuggle illegal e-cigarettes,” said bureau Director Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H. ) express. FDA Center for Tobacco Products. “The $76 million these bad guys just tossed in the trash should be a sobering reminder that their time and money would be better spent obeying the law.”
The federal joint task force will continue to focus on taking action to stop the illegal import and distribution of unauthorized vaping products in the United States. This may include investigating and prosecuting new criminal, civil, seizure and forfeiture actions under the All Cigarette Trafficking Prevention Act; the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act; and other authorities . Violations of these regulations may result in felonies and substantial criminal fines, as well as civil penalties. They can also lead to the seizure of unauthorized products, which could help reduce access to illegal e-cigarettes, including among teenagers.
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