ACAMS New Jersey Chapter June 2026 Virtual Event: Illegal Vapes with New Jersey Flavor: Dirty Money in Flavored E-Cigarette Trade

Overview

More than 86% of e-cigarettes in today’s retail market are illegal, including every fruit-flavored variety. Of roughly 9,000 vape products available, only 39 have received FDA authorization—highlighting the widespread illicit trade fueling the youth vaping epidemic. Please join the NJ ACAMS Chapter in exploring the intersection of public health, organized crime, and financial crime. This presentation will trace how unregulated vape products—often marketed with “spy flavors” targeting adolescents—have become conduits for smuggling, trade-based money laundering, and cross-border financial networks.

Attendees will gain insight into government crackdowns such as Operation Vape Trail (DOJ, DHS, DEA, FDA) and New York’s Operation Vapers’ Dozen, while examining how Chinese and Mexican criminal organizations exploit the illicit vape supply chain. The presenters also analyze how vapes have been described as potential “Weapons of Mass Destruction” under the National Fentanyl Emergency and the implications of that framing for state regulators and law enforcement.

For financial institutions, the session will unpack the red flags associated with retail and e-commerce vape customers, third-party payment processors, and import–export intermediaries. Compliance professionals will learn how to detect illicit vape trade in disguise, adjust AML controls, and strengthen due diligence frameworks. Practical resources and monitoring strategies will be shared to help banks and credit unions mitigate exposure to this rapidly emerging financial crimes threat.

Credits

1 ACAMS Credit and Certificate of participation will be provided to members of the New Jersey Chapter