Source: United Press International
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Chicago made 121 [thefts] over the past year, containing more than 3.2 million banned Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems worth more than $81.5 million. … ‘Criminals are using every means imaginable to expand the reach of their illicit enterprises,’ said Mike Pfeiffer, Chicago Area Port Director. ‘The sales from illegal goods are used to fuel further criminal activities such as the trafficking of drugs, defrauding innocent people and purchases of illegal weapons.’ Customs and Border Patrol [steals] millions of counterfeit goods from countries around the world to protect [in the mafia usage of the word] U.S. businesses and consumers.” (12/17/24)