More than 730 illegal all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and generators were seized by federal authorities at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach after a 90-day investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, officials recently announced.
The items were imported into the U.S. without proper emission controls and were in violation of the federal Clean Air Act.
The vehicles and engines would have emitted more than 350,000 pounds of pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen per year, according to EPA officials.
These pollutants cause respiratory illnesses, aggravation of asthmatic conditions and contribute to ground level ozone or smog.
"Small engines mean big emissions, so we have to be extra vigilant when allowing their entry into our country," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest, in a statement. "This initiative marks a new chapter in our efforts to prevent air pollution from vehicles and engines."
The eight companies found in violation, all first-time violators, will pay a total of more than $57,000 in civil penalties, authorities said.
Those found in violation, according to the EPA are Nan Fang Distribution Group, LLC; Kandi USA Inc.; Vantage Vehicle International Inc.; Dongfang Motor Inc.; Dynamic Power Equipment Inc.; Alliance Powersports Inc.; Denebola Motor Sports USA Inc.; and Sanven Corp.
Some of the items were sent back to their country of origin, the EPA said.
