Federal agents continue to crackdown on counterfeit N95 masks

February 18, 2021 KayAdmin US 0

A machine makes respiratory masks in a family-owned medical equipment factory in north Miami, Florida on February 15, 2021. - A Florida company that saw an opportunity in the N95 mask shortage when the coronavirus pandemic began last year now has 30 million unsold masks because it can't find buyers in the United States. DemeTech, a Miami-based factory, blames lower prices from China, while a wholesale buyer thinks instead that the problem is that US buyers are wary of new manufacturers. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

A machine makes respiratory masks in a family-owned medical equipment factory in north Miami, Florida on February 15, 2021. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:45 PM PT – Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Homeland Security seized hundreds of thousands of counterfeit N-95 masks on the East Coast. In a press briefing Wednesday, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas highlighted the ongoing efforts made by the department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

This came as federal agents seized nearly ten million fake 3M brand masks that were going to be sold to healthcare facilities. Mayorkas added they will continue to crack down on counterfeit protective equipment.

(Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

“Since the start of the pandemic, our agents have also been investigating fraudulent coronavirus test kits, counterfeit items, financial scams and fake medicines,” Mayorkas said. “We just implore the public to be aware of websites or individuals selling products claiming to prevent, treat, diagnose or cure COVID-19.”

Officials said counterfeit masks could put healthcare workers in jeopardy as they are not tested for N-95 standards.