Operation Vape Trail Cracks Down on Illegal Substances in Vape Shops

WASHINGTON – Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced the results of a week-long operational enforcement action as part of a whole-of-government initiative aimed at removing dangerous and illegal vaping substances from communities across America. During the operation, DEA seized more than 2.3 million vape devices and cartridges and more than 100 weapons since September 15, 2025.

“This operation underscores our commitment to protecting Americans from dangerous, deadly, and illegal substances that threaten public safety and national security,” said Administrator Terrance Cole. “Illegal vape products pose hidden risks—especially to young people who often have no idea what these chemicals are that they are inhaling. By removing these products from our communities, we are taking decisive action to safeguard health, disrupt criminal networks, and prevent harm before it occurs.”   

Vaping devices were originally designed for nicotine and marketed as a cigarette alternative. However, recent data suggests a significant portion of e-cigarette sales involve illegal substances, highlighting a growing public safety and health concern. Also being sold in vape shops are illegal and addictive substances such as synthetic marijuana, synthetic cathinones, and hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH or synthetic kratom. Many of these products feature bright packaging and imagery inspired by popular cereals, candies, and snacks, which appeal to young people.

From September 15 through September 19, 2025, DEA’s 23 domestic field divisions and seven foreign regions carried out coordinated enforcement actions that resulted in:

•            Vape Pens/Cartridges: 2,357,755

•            Currency Seizures: $3,502,905

•            Assets seized: $5,235,000

•            Firearms: 115

•            Arrests: 106

Notable Seizures:

•            The DEA Laredo District Office, with the assistance of the Laredo Police Department, executed a search warrant inside one shop in which investigators uncovered a 25-foot-deep tunnel leading to what appeared to be a concealed room behind the business—highlighting the extreme measures taken to hide illegal operations. Cocaine and marijuana were also seized during the search.

•            The DEA Galveston Resident Office, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service and Harris County Constables Office Precinct 2, seized 70,000 THC cartridges, 30,000 packages of THC edibles, 15 pounds of marijuana, and eleven firearms inside a home.

•            Upon receiving multiple complaints about vape shops selling to minors, DEA’s Little Rock District Office seized nearly 200 pounds of marijuana and more than 50 firearms in two separate investigations. Two people were arrested.

•            The DEA Albany District Office seized hundreds of pounds of colorfully packaged products including marijuana flower, marijuana cigarettes, packaged THC gummies, flavored THC vape cartridges, and mushroom gummies, arrested two illegal criminals, and seized $50,000.

In addition to last week’s nationwide surge, DEA has been investigating vape shops near military bases. The majority of these shops investigated by DEA are owned and operated by foreign nationals believed to be specifically targeting active military personnel. As a result of one joint operation, DEA and its partners seized 8,000 pounds of THC products, 70,000 marijuana plants, and nearly 21,500 pounds of processed marijuana, and arrested 20 people, including three Chinese nationals.

DEA has vaping-related resources available at www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov.

Operation Vape Trail is part of a larger collaborative enforcement effort between the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Source: http://criminal-justice-online.blogspot.com/2025/09/operation-vape-trail-cracks-down-on.html