Chinese Manufacturer Behind Elf Bar Caught in Los Angeles
Authorities Intercept $18 Million Worth of E-Cigarettes
WASHINGTON — In a major operation, U.S. agents have confiscated over 1.4 million illegal e-cigarettes manufactured by the Chinese company responsible for Elf Bar, the favored brand among American teenagers. The seized e-cigarettes, valued at $18 million, included various other brands such as Lost Mary, Funky Republic, and EB Create, according to a statement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The joint operation between the FDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection successfully intercepted the shipment at Los Angeles International Airport.
Intentional Mislabeling to Evade Customs
Deliberately mislabeling the containers as toys, shoes, and other household items was part of an attempt to bypass customs inspections, both agencies revealed. FDA records show that the shipment, originating from iMiracle Shenzhen, the manufacturer of Elf Bar and other disposable e-cigarettes, was seized on November 6. This marks the first time authorities have prevented the company from distributing its vapes in the U.S., where it has amassed hundreds of millions of dollars in sales since late 2021. In May, the FDA instructed customs officials to seize shipments from iMiracle and other similar companies. The FDA confirmed that the confiscated products will be destroyed.
A Warning to Smugglers
FDA’s tobacco chief, Brian King, issued a strong warning to those attempting to smuggle illegal e-cigarettes, especially those appealing to youth. He stated, “Those shamelessly attempting to smuggle illegal e-cigarettes, particularly those that appeal to youth, into this country should take heed of today’s announcement.”
Elf Bar: A Popular and Accessible Brand
Elf Bar, among thousands of cheap disposable e-cigarette brands flooding the U.S. market from China, stands as the most prominent. Its fruity flavors like strawberry melon and triple berry ice, coupled with the claim of containing 5,000 “puffs” per device, have propelled its popularity. Despite the FDA’s import ban on some of Elf Bar’s products, iMiracle rebranded under various new names, including EB Design. Consequently, these products continue to be readily available in convenience stores and vape shops nationwide.
Alarming Teen Usage
According to the latest government survey, a staggering 56% of teenage vapers reported using Elf Bar, more than twice the rate of any other e-cigarette brand. These figures highlight the concerning appeal of Elf Bar to the youth demographic.
A spokesperson for iMiracle has not yet responded to requests for comment.
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