CBP Officers Seize Large Quantity of Cold/Flu Medications and Diluted Cleaning Supplies

EL PASO, Texas – Buyer beware when ordering medication online.

CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing at the El Paso port of entry seized a large quantity of over the counter medications and bottles of diluted Clorox arriving from Mexico on March 25.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers seized a total of 4,340 tablets of assorted medication and 30 bottles containing diluted Clorox.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a 51-year-old United States citizen, stated his intentions were to sell and ship to customers in Alaska and other locations.The medication and diluted Clorox were discovered in various packages concealed behind the back seat of a vehicle.

“Consumers may think they are saving a few dollars by ordering these foreign medications online, but if it has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they could be further putting their health at risk,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. Medications that have been purchased over the internet are subject to approval by the FDA, and shippers must be registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Shipments that fail to be approved can be seized without reimbursement to the consumer. The consumer and exporter may also be subject to further penalties.

All products were seized and the violator was assessed a $2,600 civil penalty pending further investigation.