Feds seize 18M illegal vaping devices worth $175M

Federal agents have seized more than 18 million vaping devices worth over $175 million as part of Operation Red Mist, a targeted effort aimed at illegal e-cigarette imports from China, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced.

The enforcement effort was carried out by CBP in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Food and Drug Administration. The operation primarily targets maritime cargo shipments originating from China and is designed to combat the illicit importation, transportation and distribution of vaping products and their hazardous components, according to the agency.

Investigators found that seized shipments contained hazardous materials that had been misclassified and improperly labeled — tactics commonly used to avoid detection, taxes and import duties, CBP said. The products also failed to meet importation requirements for tobacco products and electronic devices and violated safety and environmental protection standards for transport.

Every product seized in the operation lacked FDA premarket authorization, making them illegal to sell in the United States, the agency said. Only 41 products currently have FDA authorization for U.S. marketing and distribution, according to the release.

“The spread of illegal e-cigarettes is alarming for communities everywhere,” said Diane J. Sabatino, executive assistant commissioner with CBP’s Office of Field Operations. “Our frontline personnel are working tirelessly to keep these dangerous products out of our communities, especially out of the hands of young people who are frequently targeted by manufacturers.”

CBP said it identifies and intercepts illegal vaping products through intelligence gathering, targeting systems and interagency partnerships, with enforcement coordinated at every stage of the supply chain — from pre-shipment screening to port-of-entry inspections and post-seizure investigations.

The operation is part of a broader government-wide effort to prevent unsafe vaping devices from reaching communities and to remove noncompliant products from store shelves, officials said. Authorities added that the enforcement actions are intended to weaken the operations of those attempting to flood the U.S. market with hazardous goods.

CBP noted that revenue from the importation and sale of counterfeit and noncompliant goods often funds other forms of criminal activity, making trade enforcement a broader public safety priority. The agency said it enforces more than 400 laws on behalf of over 40 federal agencies, with a mission centered on ensuring only legitimate, safe products enter U.S. commerce.