Louisville Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency officials said officers recently seized 10 boxes of Virus Shut Out devices, which officials said does not protect the bearer from the Coronavirus.
Authorities indicated the shipment of shut out devices, which claim potency against Coronavirus strains and often contain the pesticide Chlorine Dioxide, a pesticide that can leech into the skin on contact, cause breathing issues, was arriving from Hong Kong and destined for a residence in Louisville. The shipment contained 10,000 virus shut out devices.
“Predatory scammers continue to prey on consumer fears by marketing and shipping potentially dangerous products as legitimate devices that will keep them safe from COVID-19,” Thomas Mahn, Port director-Louisville, said. “I’m proud of the continued efforts of our CBP officers, as they work day in and day out to protect our community and prevent illicit items, like these devices, from causing harm or giving false sense of security.”
The seized shipments also included false or misleading claims, per authorities, lacked required warnings, and failed to obtain EPA approval as to their efficacy claim.
CBP indicated it is unlawful to import a Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act regulated pesticide into the United States, and the agency ultimately seized the shipments. CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts narcotics, weapons, currency, prohibited agriculture products, counterfeit goods, and other illicit items.