New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday that authorities seized more than 28,000 pounds of illicit vapor products in Nassau and Orange counties following a three-month investigation.
The products were linked to Ecto World, a Buffalo-area distributor also known as Demand Vape, according to the governor’s office.
The investigation found that the company illegally shipped large quantities of vape products to sub-distributors and unlicensed retail shops across the state. Some of the largest shipments were sent to Long Island and Orange County, where they were intercepted and seized by law enforcement as part of the operation, according to the governor’s office.
“Illicit vape products pose serious risks to the health of New Yorkers, especially our youth,” Hochul said. “This seizure is a major victory for public safety and a clear message that New York will not tolerate illegal operations that put our communities at risk.”
Officials said these sub-distributors and unlicensed retail shops fall outside the narrow categories of businesses to which distributors may ship vapor products within New York state.
Authorities said shipments totaling more than 26,000 pounds— including 25 pallets and more than 570 boxes of illicit vapor products—were intercepted and seized in coordination with the Nassau County Police Department, with support from the Nassau County Department of Health. A separate shipment totaling about 2,761 pounds, including two pallets and more than 60 boxes, was seized in coordination with the Town of Montgomery Police Department, with support from the Orange County Department of Health.
Criminal charges against Ecto World and its owner will be pursued through the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, according to the governor’s office.
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