In February this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized nearly 2 million units of unauthorized electronic cigarette products in Chicago.

The operation was a joint federal effort from the FDA and CBP to intercept incoming shipments and prevent the entry of illegal e-cigarettes into the United States. The estimated retail value of this seizure was $33.8 million.

Almost all of the illegal e-cigarette products discovered by the team originated in China and were intended for shipment to multiple U.S. states. Officials from the two agencies said that numerous unauthorized e-cigarette shipments have been entering the country and seem to suggest an attempt to avoid duty fees and import safety reviews. Specifically, these shipments often feature unclear product descriptions and inaccurate declared values.

“We continue to see an increased number of shipments of vaping-related products packaged and mislabeled to avoid detection,” Bret Koplow, Ph.D., J.D., acting director of the FDA Center for Tobacco Products, said in a statement. “However, we have been successful at preventing these shipments from entering the U.S. supply chain—despite efforts to conceal the true identity of these unauthorized e-cigarette products.”

None of the e-cigarette products confiscated had the necessary premarket authorization orders from the FDA. As a result, these products cannot be legally marketed or distributed within the United States. All products seized in this latest impoundment are expected to be destroyed.

Seven hundred and fifty warning letters have been sent to manufacturers, sellers, and distributors as part of the FDA enforcement actions against unauthorized new tobacco products. In addition, 800 warning letters have been issued to retailers. The agency has filed civil money penalty complaints against 87 manufacturers and more than 175 retailers for their involvement in the distribution or sale of these items.

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