$1.5 Million In Counterfeit, China-Made Vaping Pens Seized By CBP

$1.55 million worth of counterfeit vaping pens were seized in Chicago by Customs and Border Protection officers.

Chicago O’Hare’s International Mail Branch uncovered over 77,000 vape pens with Rick and Morty insignia originating from Shenzhen, China.

The shipment of 258 boxes was heading to a distribution company in Georgia.

“Often CBP seizes vape pens because they violate FDA guidelines, but these parcels violate copyright laws which adds to the charges and complexity of the case,” said Shane Campbell, Area Port Director-Chicago. “Counterfeit products are unsafe for consumers, harm the economy, damage the revenue and image of the companies, and could cost American jobs.”

“Sold in underground outlets and on third party e-commerce websites, counterfeit commodities fund smugglers and members of organized crime. Consumers often believe they are buying a genuine product but soon realize the item is substandard,” the agency’s press release noted.

This article originally appeared on The National Pulse.