‘Exploiting the pandemic for financial gain’: El Paso area CBP officers seize 1,000 counterfeit Covid-19 test kits
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – Customs and Border Protection announced its agents in the El Paso area seized 1,000 counterfeit Covid-19 test kits last weekend.
“Some appear to be exploiting the pandemic for financial gain, leaving the consumer at risk. These products may result in serious consequences to the consumer, whether that end user is in the United States or another country,” CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha said in a news release. “CBP officers are committed to ensuring that all items being imported and exported meet critical health and safety standards.”
Last Saturday, CBP officers at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry encountered a 36-year-old man with a suitcase that had the counterfeit test kits. The kits were seized and are being investigated.
A day later, officers at the Ysleta Port of Entry seized 1,000 face masks, nearly 3,000 mask filters, and 60 bottles of hand sanitizer.
CBP said these products were not properly registered, did not have proper labels, and did not meet the standards set by the Food and Drug Administration.
