A former top law enforcement official is sounding the alarm on an attempt by illicit Chinese vape companies to exploit legal loopholes by replacing nicotine with an unregulated substitute to continue selling flavored disposable vapes to children.

«These Chinese organized crime groups, what they realized is if they go ahead and just change the ingredients in the packaging, then they create confusion and there is no enforcement or regulatory agency that then is responsible to address these illicit, illegal, disposable vapes,» former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Deputy Director Edgar Domenech told Fox News Digital in an interview.

The synthetic compound, 6-methyl nicotine, also known as 6MN or «NIX,» is a nicotine analog marketed under brand names including Nixodine and Metatine, with some manufacturers arguing 6-methyl nicotine products fall outside the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authority.

Domenech, the former sheriff of New York City, said that while nicotine is a well-known addictive substance regulated by the FDA, the nicotine substitute «manufactured illegally in China» is an «unknown variable» that hasn’t been studied enough.

FORMER ACTING DHS SECRETARY WARNS CHINESE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE INFILTRATING AMERICA’S HEMP INDUSTRY

«It’s a different type of substance,» he said. «Now, all of a sudden, the FDA doesn’t have oversight, but it’s the same product. It’s a disposable vape product with flavors targeting our kids and our youth with unknown chemicals.»

Pointing to law enforcement’s role in combating the illicit trade, Domenech said the companies create «confusion» by changing the product’s ingredients, causing law enforcement and regulatory agencies to «take no action.»

«The organized crime groups — they’re five steps in front of us,» he said. «By changing the substance, they are now creating additional new obstacles to figure out.»

Domenech said the companies keep the same branding, packaging, and flavors while changing just one ingredient, allowing them to profit from children who may not realize what they’re consuming.

CORPORATE AMERICA’S CHINA ADDICTION HAS BECOME A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT

A woman holds a Puff Bar flavored disposable vape device in New York City, Jan. 31, 2020. (Marshall Ritzel/AP Photo)

«They’re putting these products side by side in these big shops, because the packaging is all the same,» he said. «All they’ve done is changed one of the ingredients in the product.»

Domenech said the companies are targeting «our youngest, most vulnerable generation» with flavored disposable vapes containing chemicals whose long-term health effects remain unknown.

«They’re targeting our youth with flavors,» he said. «Whether it’s fruity flavors, candy-type flavors, dessert flavors. They’re targeting our kids to go ahead and ingest these products with unknown consequences because we don’t know what’s in them to begin with.»

As youth vaping has become more widespread, Domenech said some schools have installed bathroom sensors that detect vaping, adding, «We’ve got 11-year-olds, 12-year-olds, 14-year-olds vaping these products.»

EXPLOSIVE HOUSE REPORT REVEALS SECRET OPERATION INSIDE CHINA AT CENTER OF SOUTH KOREA’S FIGHT WITH US COMPANY

A selection of colorful disposable vapes on display for sale in a souvenir shop in London, Jan. 29, 2024. (Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photo)

He said that the products could lead to «unknown health and mental well-being issues down the line.»

«There is nothing healthy about the illegal disposable vapes that are flavored targeting our kids,» he said.

A recent Duke University study found 6-methyl nicotine may be stronger than nicotine, raising concerns it could be more addictive. Public patent records list Geoff Habicht, CEO of Arizona-based Mi-Pod, which Fox News Digital previously reported on as part of an investigation examining ties between the vaping industry and China, as an inventor on U.S. patents referencing 6-methyl nicotine and related compounds.

Raising awareness among lawmakers, health professionals, parents, and schools is vital to closing regulatory gaps and preventing more children from using the products, according to Domenech.

«Education is paramount for us to combat this issue,» he said. «We need to educate our policymakers, we need to educate our health professionals, we need to educate our parents, the educational system to make them understand that these products are illegal, they have unknown substances that can have unknown consequences, health consequences.»

Domenech said lawmakers and law enforcement need clearer guidance to identify and seize the products.

«We need to have a concerted effort to educate our policymakers at the federal level but also at the state and local levels because we need boots on the ground to understand what they can do legally in seizing these products,» he said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Domenech called the companies a «national security problem,» saying the products «should be seized the moment they enter this country, period.»

«We’re losing a generation of our future, our future leaders to this product,» he said.

A menos de tres meses de las elecciones presidenciales, el candidato ultraconservador, Flávio Bolsonaro, enfrenta una inesperada interna familiar y persistentes dudas en la heterogénea derecha brasileña empeñada hoy en una lucha de poder.

El actual senador, de 44 años, busca destronar al presidente Luiz Lula da Silva, que irá por la reelección en los comicios del 4 de octubre, pero una serie de escándalos amenazan sus aspiraciones.

El hijo mayor del condenado expresidente Jair Bolsonaro venía subiendo mes a mes en las encuestas y se hallaba en un virtual empate técnico con Lula, pero sus supuestos vínculos con un banquero detenido, Daniel Vorcaro, sacudieron su campaña.

Vorcaro está en el centro de una investigación por un esquema ilegal vinculado al proceso de liquidación del Banco Master, que salpica también al gobierno. En concreto se lo acusa de fraude bancario.

En un audio revelado por la prensa local, se escucha al postulante presidencial derechista pedirle dinero a Vorcaro para financiar una película biográfica sobre su padre. Incluso, lo llama “hermano”. Entonces, la imagen de Bolsonaro sufrió un durísimo golpe que derivó en una caída en los sondeos.

La última encuesta de la firma AtlasIntel le atribuye a Lula un 48,8% de intención de voto frente al 42,3% de Bolsonaro.

¿Qué está pasando en la derecha brasileña?

En medio del escándalo del Banco Master, la derecha brasileña empezó a mostrar grietas en la alianza electoral que busca devolver al clan Bolsonaro al poder.

El analista brasileño Fernando Guarnieri, polítólogo de la Universidad de San Pablo, dijo a TN que en el país no existe una sola derecha cohesionada y afirmó que ahora, esa diversidad, está pasandole factura al candidato.

“Desde las elecciones de 2022 -e incluso antes, durante el gobierno de Bolsonaro- hemos visto que no existe una única facción de derecha, sino varias”, afirmó.

Al respecto, mencionó: “Está la derecha ´pragmática´ -a menudo denominada ´Centrão´, que habitualmente se alinea con el gobierno de turno. Existe la derecha liberal, que aboga por un Estado mínimo; la derecha conservadora, que se opone a la ampliación de los derechos de las minorías; y la derecha radical y antisistema, junto con la extrema derecha antidemocrática. En resumen, hay diversas facciones de derecha que se unieron en torno a Bolsonaro y que ahora pugnan por la hegemonía dentro del bloque».

En ese escenario, estallaron las luchas internas y más cuando Flávio Bolsonaro fue “elegido a dedo” por su padre.

Leé también: Quién es Alberto Zaltzberg, el argentino que busca convertirse en el primer alcalde latino de la ciudad de Aventura en Miami-Dade

Para Guarnieri, “estas divisiones y conflictos entre las ´élites´ podrían derivar en ´fuego amigo´ y en la aparición de nuevos escándalos, erosionando gradualmente la percepción de que Flávio es la única opción para derrotar a Lula».

“Es muy probable que la elección se decida en una segunda vuelta (prevista para el 25 de octubre). Conscientes de ello, los votantes de derecha podrían optar por explorar otras alternativas en la primera vuelta”, indicó.

Según el analista, “todo depende de las revelaciones explosivas que aún están por surgir, de cómo las gestione Flávio Bolsonaro y de si logra pasar de una postura defensiva a imponerse en los debates frente a sus adversarios”.

Un nuevo frente: la familia

Pero Flávio Bolsonario recibió un piedrazo en la cara desde su propio entorno familiar.

El candidato mantuvo una durísima pelea mediática con su “madrasta”, Michelle Bolsonaro, que repercutió muy fuerte en el seno del Partido Liberal, liderado por su marido.

La esposa de su padre anunció públicamente que no respaldaba la candidatura presidencial de su hijastro y lo acusó de haberla humillado.

Pero el escándalo no se quedó ahí: Michelle, considerada la dirigente con mayor influencia entre el electorado femenino y evangélico, renunció a la presidencia del ala femenina del partido.

Según dijo, desde ahora se dedicará solo a “cuidar” del exmandatario, que cumple una condena a 11 años de prisión por golpismo.

Esta pelea dividió al Partido Liberal. La salida de escena de Michelle puede ser un duro golpe para las aspiraciones de Flávio de llegar al Palacio del Planalto.

La mujer, que llegó a coquetear con su propia candidatura presidencial, no solo es la principal representante femenina del movimiento de su esposo, sino que además arrastra el estratégico voto evangélico, vital en un país como Brasil donde la influencia de este grupo religioso se expande en todos los ámbitos, ya sea mediáticos, económicos y políticos.

Pero, ¿de qué acusa Michelle Bolsonaro a su hijastro?

Leé también: Más de 30 años después de la caída de la URSS, Cuba gira hacia el libre mercado para escapar de la presión de Trump

En un video explosivo, la actual esposa de Jair Bolsonaro acusó a Flávio de haberla “humillado” y “maltratado” durante una discusión sobre estrategia electoral. En disputa estaba la lucha por la nominación de aliados para las elecciones locales y regionales.

“Me faltó al respeto, me trató mal y me dijo que era mejor que me mantuviera al margen de las decisiones del partido, porque había llegado ayer y no entendía nada de política”, aseguró.

La acusación causó un terremoto en el partido. Michelle tiene un ejército de más de 8,2 millones de seguidores solo en Instagram.

El candidato intentó salir al paso con un pedido de disculpas y aventuró: “Respeto muchísimo a Michelle, tengo la convicción de que vamos a superar este momento difícil y que ella va a estar caminando con nosotros”.

Pero el daño ya estaba hecho. Analistas estiman que la principal debilidad de la candidatura de Flávio Bolsonaro está precisamente en su escasa llegada al electorado femenino.

Sin Michelle a su lado, sus posibilidad caen, como reflejan las encuestas. Habrá que ver ahora si la esposa de Jair Bolsonaro mantiene al menos su candidatura a senadora y si la familia logra recomponer la paz a menos de tres meses de las elecciones.

President Donald Trump on Friday warned Iran that the United States would «decimate and destroy» the country if Tehran carried out an assassination attempt against him.

«1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!» Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The president said he had already directed the U.S. military to be prepared to retaliate if Iran carried out an assassination attempt against him.

ISRAEL SHARES INTELLIGENCE WARNING IRAN PLOTTED NEW ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST TRUMP: REPORT

«Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran – PRAISE BE TO ALLAH!» Trump said.

Trump’s comments came one day after The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli intelligence recently shared information with U.S. officials indicating Iran was considering a new plot to assassinate the president.

Earlier this week, Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, that he remains Iran’s top target.

TRUMP SAYS HE’S IRAN’S ‘NO. 1’ TARGET AS RENEWED CONFLICT RAISES ASSASSINATION FEARS

A U.S. Secret Service agent, left, protects President Donald Trump, right. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

«I’m No. 1 on the kill list for Iran,» the president said.

Earlier Friday, Trump also told the New York Post he had left standing instructions to strike Iran if an assassination attempt against him succeeded.

«I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with,» Trump said. «… The only thing is, I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.»

TRUMP SAYS HE LEFT INSTRUCTIONS TO ‘BOMB’ IRAN ‘AT LEVELS’ NEVER SEEN IF HE IS ASSASSINATED

Mourners gather around a vehicle transporting the coffin of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on Feb. 28 in Israeli and U.S. airstrikes, and coffins of his family members, on the day of his burial, in a culmination of a mass funeral, in Mashhad, Iran, July 9, 2026. (Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency, via REUTERS)

Trump also dismissed reports that Israeli intelligence had uncovered a new Iranian assassination plot against him.

«No, no, Israel came up with nothing,» Trump told the newspaper. «I’ve been No. 1 [on Iran’s kill list] for a long time, and it’s the way life is, you know.»

The New York Times reported that following Trump’s trip to Turkey, the U.S. Secret Service recommended he travel aboard the older Air Force One rather than the newly retrofitted Boeing 747 donated by Qatar as a security precaution amid renewed hostilities with Iran.

The White House has not said whether the aircraft change was related to specific security concerns, but said the new Air Force One is equipped with advanced security features.

«The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff,» White House Communications Director Steven Cheung previously told Fox News Digital. «As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats.»

Iran has sought Trump’s assassination since he ordered the 2020 military strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

This week, mourners repeatedly called for Trump’s death during the funeral for Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

President Donald Trump speaks with the media aboard Air Force One shortly after departure from Mildenhall Air Force Base in the United Kingdom, after he switched from the old VC-25A Air Force One to the newer VC-25B Bridge Air Force One, en route to Washington, on July 8, 2026. (SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

The comments also come as a U.S.-Iran ceasefire has unraveled in recent days.

Iran attacked commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz this week, prompting renewed U.S. military action, including a new round of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure tied to maritime operations and other military sites.

Trump has since declared the ceasefire «over» and warned of further action if Iran continues its attacks.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the U.S. Secret Service for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.