Border Patrol officers seize fake coronavirus test kits found at LAX

PHOENIX — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered multiple fake coronavirus test kits entering the country Thursday.

According to Border Patrol officials, six plastic bags containing various vials were seized by agents assigned to Los Angeles International Airport, International Mail Facility. The shipment of the vials arrived from the United Kingdom.

The vials were discovered while conducting an enforcement examination of a parcel manifested as “Purified Water Vials.” The vials had a declared value of $196.81.

Upon further examination, the vials were found to be filled with a white liquid and labeled “Corona Virus 2019nconc (COVID-19)” and “Virus1 Test Kit.”

The shipment was sent to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for further analysis.

“Protecting the health and safety of the American people is a top priority for CBP,” Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles, said in a press release.

“This significant interception, at a time when the U.S. is in the midst of a National Emergency, demonstrates our CBP officers’ vigilance and commitment to ensure dangerous goods are intercepted and not a threat to our communities and our people.”

Border Patrol encourages the public to be aware of bogus home testing kits, as authorized diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is done in verified state and local public health laboratories.

On Friday, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency and laid out new testing strategies after health care professionals, politicians and patients across the country complained about the lack of access to testing.

No further details, including any arrest connected to the intercepted package, were released.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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