Florida AG announces largest illegal vape seizure in state history, 2,183 contraband devices seized

Key Points

• Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced what his office calls the largest illegal-vape seizure in Florida history.
• Across four operations, partners seized 2,183 contraband vapes plus nitrous oxide canisters and related paraphernalia.
• Seizures by area: Clermont 263, Ocoee 636, Okaloosa County 855, Milton 423.
• Okaloosa County authorities arrested Golam Farooque, citing eight felony counts of illegal nitrous oxide sales.
• FDACS removed 2,054 packages from six stores in Clermont and 6,181 packages from eight stores in Ocoee; totals elsewhere are still being finalized.
• Cited violations include labeling/container noncompliance, lack of child-resistant packaging, unlawful marketing, and child-appealing packaging elements; officials also referenced certain controlled/prohibited substances.

2Firsts, Feb 9, 2026

According to the Florida Attorney General’s Office, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the largest seizure of illegal and contraband vaping products on Florida’s Nicotine Dispensing Device Directory in state history, following coordinated actions by the statewide Vape Task Force. The operations involved the Attorney General’s Enforcement Unit, FDACS, DBPR, and local law enforcement, targeting vape shops accused of selling products that violate Florida law and pose risks to children and consumers.

Across four task force operations, authorities seized 2,183 contraband vapes, along with nitrous oxide canisters, chargers, and related paraphernalia. The seizures included 263 illegal vapes in Clermont, 636 in Ocoee, 855 in Okaloosa County, and 423 in Milton.

Officials also reported seizing 195 nitrous oxide canisters from Unique Vape and Cigar during a compliance check and an additional 7 in Milton, along with 50 nitrous oxide chargers (“crackers”) and balloons used for inhalation. The Attorney General’s Office said the store owner, Golam Farooque, was arrested by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on eight felony counts of illegal sale of nitrous oxide.

FDACS conducted regulatory inspections and removed thousands of illegal products from shelves, including 2,054 packages from six stores in Clermont and 6,181 packages from eight stores in Ocoee, with totals from Okaloosa County, Milton, and Gulf Breeze still being finalized. Authorities cited multiple violations, including container and labeling failures, lack of child-resistant packaging, unlawful advertising and marketing, and packaging or branding designed to appeal to children. The release also referenced certain controlled or prohibited substances in connection with enforcement actions.

Image source: Florida Attorney General’s Office