Border Security Alliance Urges FDA to Direct Vape Enforcement Funding to State and Local Police
Phoenix, AZ — The Border Security Alliance (BSA) has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to direct new federal enforcement funding toward state and local law enforcement agencies working to combat the growing illicit vape market.
In a letter sent Wednesday to FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, the national coalition of current and former law enforcement leaders and border-state leaders said local agencies are best positioned to stop illegal vape sales tied to international supply chains.
Congress recently directed the FDA to dedicate $200 million in user-fee funding for enforcement against illegal e-cigarettes, vapes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems, with at least $2 million supporting a joint task force involving the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security and the FDA.
The Border Security Alliance said those resources should be focused on the agencies closest to retail distribution.
“Local law enforcement agencies are the only entities with the jurisdiction, proximity and operational capacity to address illicit vape sales at the retail level,” the group wrote.
The letter cites federal enforcement actions that illustrate the scope of the problem. A recent multi-agency crackdown known as “Operation Vape Trail” led to the seizure of more than 2 million illegal vape devices and cartridges, the recovery of more than 100 firearms and more than 100 arrests across several states.
The coalition urged the FDA to:
Direct the full $200 million in enforcement funding to state and local law enforcement agencies.
Expand the DOJ-DHS-FDA enforcement task force to include sustained state and local participation.
Establish a national framework for intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement targeting illicit vape distribution networks.
The Border Security Alliance is a national coalition of current and former police chiefs, sheriffs, county officials, public safety leaders and policy experts focused on cross-border trafficking and illicit markets, including counterfeit goods, narcotics precursors and illegal vape products.
The BSA Board of Directors include:
Jobe Dickinson, BSA President and former Tucson Police Officer
Jonathan Lines, BSA Chairman and current Yuma County Supervisor
Jason Winsky, BSA Vice President and current Tucson Police Sergeant
Justin Harris, BSA Vice Chairman and current Glendale (AZ) Police Sergeant
BSA’s Advisory Council includes:
Luisa del Rosal, border policy expert and former executive director of the Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center at Southern Methodist University (SMU).
Pat Eliasen, current Sheriff of Cook County, Minnesota
Demi Kouzounas, a U.S. Army Veteran and small business owner in Maine
Craig Meidl, former Police Chief of the Spokane Police Department in Washington state
Bill Wright, current Sheriff of Belknap County in New Hampshire
In the letter, BSA leaders said directing enforcement resources to agencies closest to the problem will produce the most immediate results.
“Directing these resources to the agencies closest to illicit retail activity will produce the most immediate and sustained impact,” the group wrote.