Cuban Customs Seize Dozens of Vape Pens and Cigarettes with Narcotics in Havana Airport

On Friday, Cuban Customs officials intercepted a substantial cache of 86 products containing marijuana at Havana's José Martí International Airport. Among the seized items were 68 vape pens infused with marijuana extract and 18 cigarettes containing the same substance, all originating from the United States.

The discovery was shared by Wiliam Pérez González, the First Deputy Chief of the Cuban Customs, via his official account on X: "Detected 68 electronic cigarettes with marijuana extract and 18 cigarettes containing the same DRUG at Havana Airport from the USA. The passenger was processed for Drug Trafficking in a joint effort by #CubanCustoms and the anti-drug body #SecureBorder."

Photos released by Pérez González reveal vaping devices from brands such as RAZ Switch, Dabwoods, and glo, with visible THC warnings on the packaging. The images also show a grinder with plant material, a vial containing a reddish liquid—likely concentrated extract—and a detection dog inspecting the passenger's luggage.

In the United States, these products are legally sold in states where cannabis is regulated, such as California, as indicated by the labels on the confiscated items. However, bringing such products into Cuba is strictly forbidden under a decree issued on July 21, 2020, which banned the import, possession, and transport of marijuana and its derivatives, including extracts in vape pens.

Enhanced Security Measures at Cuban Borders

This operation was part of the Secure Border program, a cooperative initiative between the General Customs Office of the Republic and the anti-drug division of the Ministry of the Interior. In 2024, this program led to the arrest of 94 individuals and the seizure of over 90 kilograms of drugs solely at airports, as reported by the state media outlet Juventud Rebelde.

Electronic cigarettes have previously been used as a method of concealment. In July 2025, customs officials had already discovered drugs hidden within gummies and vape devices, describing it as an "unconventional" method. Other recent incidents involved cocaine concealed in tuna cans, methamphetamine in baseball bats, methamphetamine in a rice package, and narcotics transported inside a passenger's body.

Drug Trafficking Routes and Legal Consequences

The route between the United States and Cuba has been identified as the primary channel for drug entry into the country. In 2025, authorities thwarted 31 aerial drug trafficking operations and seized 27 kilograms of substances from 11 countries, with the U.S. being the main source.

Under Cuban law, drug trafficking offenses can result in severe penalties ranging from four to 30 years in prison, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty in aggravated circumstances.