From the owner of RTS Vapes
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...nicotine-liquid-made-usa-286.html#post9946253, the federal agents got involved when they said he "lied" about selling flavored nicotine eliquid, which he doesn't.
"Had 3 federal agents from the department of homeland security visit my home and facility yesterday while I am on vacation. ... do they have to do with our US nicotine extraction? They claim they will try to get an arrest warrant from the US attorney for liying to a federal agent. The agent asked me, do you sell the little vials with flavor and nicotine in them and I said no. Then they go to my facility and find we produce flavorless liquid nicotine and think it is the same as flavored. I guess this is a new way for the federal government to go after companies."
"They are not saying it is illegal to sell flavored nicotine. They are saying I am guilty of lying to a federal agent because I said we do not sell it which is true. The department of homeland security does not know the difference between flavored and concentrated flavorless nicotine. There were around 20 other questions asked about the production of pure nicotine being a risk to the country because it is a poison."
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Curious that we refused a buyout offer by a BT company last week and this happens."
Just conjecture here, but this sounds a lot like gang-like retaliation and bullying by out-of-control government or BT hassling certain people in the name of "national security". In reality, it appears to be, "You just upset my bed partner (Big Tobacco) and now I'm going to get even with you for them." Makes you wonder if this incident would have happened had the buyout gone through.
I still don't see why Homeland Security would get involved with this. Were they
really federal agents? Or were they hired thugs with fake badges? The guy at RTS said they wore torn jeans. Not what I would expect from official federal agents.