CINCINNATI — Multiple shipments of counterfeit Botox were seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at a Cincinnati express consignment facility. The shipments came from Shenzhen, China, and were addressed to private residences in Alabama, Texas and Utah.
Botulinum toxin, or Botox, is restricted by the Food and Drug Administration and cannot be imported into the United States without proper documentation. The FDA issued an import alert detailing which pharmaceutical companies produce legitimate Botox and how it can be legally imported into the country.
"Illegal supply chains try to exploit online retail portals and the international mail and express consignment environments by shipping to individual consumers who may be unaware of proper import requirements," said assistant area port director Eugene Matho. "However, CBP will take all appropriate actions necessary to protect the health and safety of American consumers."
Customs agriculture specialists intercepted more than 352 pests and 4,638 quarantine materials on any given day in fiscal year 2017, according to the agency.
