Federal agents execute raids across six states for vape products
Federal agents conducted coordinated raids across six U.S. states-Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, and North Carolina-to seize illicit vape products. This operation, announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Health and human Services Secretary robert F.kennedy Jr., was led by the Food and Drug Governance (FDA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), with support from the U.S. Marshals Service.
The largest seizure took place in Bensenville,Illinois,where authorities confiscated 600,000 illegal vape units,including flavored vapes,THC-infused vapes,and 7-OH products,largely smuggled from China. Bondi emphasized that flavored vaping products are illegal, warning retailers against selling them and affirming that the Department of Justice will use all available legal measures to stop their distribution.
Kennedy highlighted that most of the seized products originated from China, a country that heavily restricts vape sales domestically, implying these dangerous products are being exported to the U.S. illegally. He stated that the message to the vaping industry is clear: the distribution of such harmful products will no longer be tolerated.
The raids occur amid growing concerns over vaping, especially among young adults aged 21 to 24, who show the highest usage rates in 2023. The enforcement action coincides with other federal efforts in Illinois, including immigration operations targeting illegal immigrants, reflecting the Trump administration’s intensified law enforcement approach in the region.
Federal agents execute raids across six states for illicit vape products
Federal agents conducted raids across six states to seize illicit vape products, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Wednesday.
Bondi and Kennedy said the joint operation was led by the Food and Drug Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The U.S. Marshals Service was also involved in the raids that occurred in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, and North Carolina.
The two Trump administration officials visited the site of the largest seizure in Bensenville, Illinois, where 600,000 units of illicit vape products were seized. The confiscated items, most of which were smuggled from China, were illegally flavored vapes, THC-infused vapes, and 7-OH products.
The raid took place at the Midwest Distribution/Midwest Goods Inc. facility near Chicago on Wednesday morning.
Bondi issued what she called a “last warning” to American retailers selling vapes.
“The Department of Justice will use every legal tool available to stop the distribution of illegal vaping products in America,” she said. “These flavored vaping products are illegal. Don’t let your child say, ‘I walked in a convenience store and bought it, so it’s legal.’ It’s not. The Department of Justice will use every legal tool to stop it.”
Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary first brought the matter to Bondi’s attention in late July. Soon after, the attorney general directed the ATF to carry out the joint seizure operations.
Kennedy disclosed that of the 50 truckloads seized, 90% of the products originated from China. The secretary also explained how China heavily regulates the sale of vape products.
“You will go to jail and worse in China if you try to sell this to Chinese citizens,” he said. “They are making products there that they believe are so dangerous they can’t sell to their own citizens, and they’re dumping them here in our country.”
Kennedy added that the operations send a message to the vape industry: “This will not be tolerated anymore. There’s a new sheriff in town. Her name is Pam Bondi. We are going to target these Chinese vapes and stop them from poisoning our children.”
BONDI SAYS FEDERAL TROOPS WILL GO TO ‘A CITY WHO WANTS US THERE’ RATHER THAN CHICAGO
Vaping has become increasingly popular over the last decade, especially among younger demographics. Young adults between the ages of 21 and 24 were the most likely group to use electronic cigarettes, at 15.5%, in 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, the overall percentage of adults using e-cigarettes was 6.5% in 2023.
Bondi and Kennedy’s visit to the Chicago area comes as the Trump administration sent immigration agents to Illinois as part of Operation Midway Blitz to detain illegal immigrants. The immigration operation was launched after President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened to send the National Guard to Chicago.
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