New York Seizes 28,000 Pounds of Illegal Vapes Tied to Orange County

A three-month investigation by the New York State Department of Health ended with the seizure of more than 28,000 pounds of illegal vaping products from a Buffalo-area distributor that had been funneling shipments to unlicensed retailers across New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday.

The distributor, identified as Ecto World, also operating under the name Demand Vape, is accused of running a widespread supply network that reached sub-distributors and retail shops not legally authorized to receive vapor products under state law. The operation stretched from Long Island into the Hudson Valley, with two significant seizures carried out in coordinated enforcement actions.

In Orange County, the Town of Montgomery Police Department and the Orange County Department of Health worked with state authorities to pull 2,761 pounds of illegal vape products off the distribution chain, more than 60 boxes and two pallets in total.

The larger haul came out of Nassau County, where Nassau County Police and the county health department intercepted more than 26,000 pounds, filling 25 pallets and more than 570 boxes. Officials described it as the largest single seizure in the operation.

Together, the two seizures account for the more than 28,000 pounds reported in the statewide crackdown.

Criminal charges against Ecto World and its owner are expected to be pursued by both the Nassau County and Orange County District Attorney's offices. Neither office has publicly named the owner or specified which charges will be filed.