U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers last week seized nearly 20,000 flavored vape pens worth nearly $600,000 in Atlanta. According to the agency, last Wednesday, CBP Atlanta officers found 66 boxes of “Ricky and Morty” branded vape pens and e-cigarettes as they were inspecting a shipment and suspected the items violated copyright and trademark law.
The vape pens, which originated in a shipment from China, were to be distributed across Georgia, according to a statement. CBP contacted Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and confirmed they hadn’t licensed their copyright of the animated series for vape pens. Officers ultimately seized the 19,800 vape pens with an estimated retail price of over $590,00.
“One of our primary missions is to intercept merchandise that could pose a serious health risk to the consumer, but this shipment of counterfeit vape pens violated Intellectual Property Rights,” said Paula Rivera, Atlanta’s CBP port director. “CBP collaborates with many government agencies to enforce laws to protect the health and safety of the consumer and our communities.”
In January, CBP Chicago seized 50,000 illegal “Rick and Morty” vape pens. CBP says each year, they seize millions of counterfeit goods that could otherwise hurt the U.S. economy, threaten consumers and fund criminal activity. Counterfeit items are often sold in underground outlets or on third-party e-commerce sites, according to CBP. Consumers might think they’re buying a genuine product but are left with a poor-quality item.
Last year, CBP seized nearly $1.3 billion worth of goods that violated intellectual property rights. The FDA announced an increased enforcement priority of electronic nicotine delivery systems, and issued detailed guidance to the industry of these new enforcement priorities that regulate the unauthorized importation of tobacco products.
CBP provides basic import information about admissibility requirements and the clearance process for e-commerce goods and encourages buyers to confirm that their purchases and the importation of those purchases comply with any state and federal import regulations.
CBP conducts operations at ports of entry throughout the United States, and regularly screens arriving international passengers and cargo for narcotics, weapons, and other restricted or prohibited products. CBP strives to serve as the premier law enforcement agency enhancing the Nation’s safety, security, and prosperity through collaboration, innovation, and integration.