HOUSTON—More than 15,400 bongs disguised as lamps were seized Thursday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Houston.
The officers said they were inspecting 808 cartons full of the purported lamps when they discovered the items didn’t even have the most basic elements that would enable them to function as a light source.
Officers said when they looked closer at the items, they found peel-off labels that were concealing holes. The holes allowed the items to be used as bongs.
In the U.S., it’s illegal to import or export drug paraphernalia.
"With greater enforcement, criminal organizations are increasingly inventing creative methods for smuggling illegal items," said Jeffrey O. Baldwin Sr., Houston CBP director of Field Operations. "This seizure is the result of improved technology and intelligence and illustrates our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while intercepting prohibited items."
It wasn’t the first bong shipment discovered by officers. In July, a shipment of more than 2,400 bongs was seized.
Both bong shipments originated from China, officials said.
The bongs will be turned over to the Customs and Border Protection seized property office, where they will be destroyed.
