Largest-Ever Sting on Illegal E-Cigarettes in Chicago Seizes Nearly $90M in Unauthorized Vape Products

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 11, 2025

Chicago, IL – In a significant federal enforcement action, U.S. authorities have conducted the largest-ever seizure of illegal e-cigarette products in Chicago, uncovering nearly $90 million worth of unauthorized vape units. This multi-agency operation targeted 37 importers, predominantly linked to China, as part of an aggressive strategy to curb the illegal vaping product trade impacting American consumers, especially children.

The combined efforts of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have halted millions of counterfeit e-cigs, which lacked mandatory FDA premarket authorization and were being imported with misleading documentation to evade regulations.

This crackdown underscores the federal government’s commitment to battling the health risks associated with unregulated vaping products.

How the Largest-Ever Seizure Was Executed

The targeted sting operation involved close monitoring and intervention at U.S. borders, focusing on shipments originating mainly from China. Through detailed inspections, FDA and CBP teams identified:

More than $86 million in unauthorized e-cigarette products seized from 37 importers.
Numerous shipments with vague and misleading product descriptions and inaccurate shipment values designed to evade duties and safety reviews.
A lack of mandatory premarket authorization orders from the FDA, making these products illegal to market or distribute in the United States.

“The FDA and our federal partners are taking strong actions to shore up America’s borders and stop the flow of illegal vaping products into our country,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. “Children, in particular, should not be using potentially dangerous, addicting products that have been snuck into the United States.”

Ongoing Federal Efforts and Impact on Childhood Vaping

This recent seizure builds on previous efforts to disrupt the supply chain of illicit vaping products. The FDA and CBP have reported preventing over 6 million unauthorized e-cig products worth more than $120 million from entering the U.S. market.

Authorities emphasize that their operation is part of the FDA’s broader, aggressive campaign to combat childhood vaping and protect public health.

Additional measures include direct communication with the 37 importers involved in the illegal shipments. These import filers were informed:

That making false statements or entries to the U.S. government is a federal crime.
They must respond within 30 days with requested information to clarify their shipments.

These enforcement actions highlight the federal agencies’ vigilance in applying stringent regulatory standards to safeguard consumers and prevent the infiltration of unsafe products.

Looking Back: Previous Seizures in Chicago

The recent seizure echoes similar successful operations conducted in Chicago in the past year. During December, Customs and Border Protection seized more than $81 million in electronic nicotine products, followed by an additional $33.8 million seized the subsequent February. These repeated crackdowns manifest a sustained federal crackdown on illegal vaping imports.

For more details on this operation and federal strategies on vaping product enforcement, visit the original report on UPI.

What This Means for Consumers and the Industry

This extensive enforcement underscores the continuing federal priority of removing illicit, unregulated vape products from the marketplace, thereby reducing health risks to users, particularly children and teens. It also serves as a clear warning to importers and distributors about the consequences of circumventing U.S. laws and regulations.

Key takeaways include:

Federal agencies are intensifying border controls to prevent illegal vaping product imports.
Unauthorized e-cigarette products lacking FDA approval face seizure, detention, and destruction.
Importers face legal action if providing false documentation or failing to comply with federal inquiries.
The crackdown is part of a nationwide effort to reduce childhood vaping and protect public health.

Join the Conversation

What do you think about this record-breaking seizure of illegal e-cigarettes in Chicago? Have you noticed the impact of illicit vaping products in your community? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!