CBP Bust of 18+ Million in Illegal Vapes Shows Enforcement More Important Than Ever

On May 13, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the impactful results of Operation Red Mist, a joint operation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which seized more than 18 million units of illegal vapes worth more than over $175 million. 

CUSP applauds this successful enforcement effort as the latest in a series of actions, but also warns it is a reminder of the breadth and depth of the criminal enterprises flooding American communities with dangerous illegal products targeting our youth. Enforcement is more important than ever. 

Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), a mother of three, hailed these enforcement actions and urged for the prioritization of strong and fully funded agencies to help safeguard our youth. “We need to focus our resources and efforts on curtailing the flood of illicit Chinese vapes into markets that are specifically targeting our youth. This includes FULLY funding CBP so our law enforcement has what it needs to go after bad actors,” Britt said.

In December, CUSP released a survey of parents nationwide who, like Sen. Britt, expressed widespread concern over how illegal vapes are threatening the safety of their communities, showing why the Administration must keep up this fight. Other resources, like the enforcement priorities outlined in the Make Our Children Healthy Again report, are important tools, but the FDA should also release the $200 million already allocated for state and local enforcement so it can be put to work.