New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on April 10 a coordinated enforcement effort to stop the illegal sale and distribution of unregistered pesticides in New York City. The Office of the Attorney General and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation conducted an unannounced inspection at three wholesale warehouses in the Bronx, resulting in cease-and-desist letters and quarantining of illegal pesticide products found at two locations.
The enforcement action is significant because unregistered pesticides can pose serious health risks, especially when used for household pest control without proper ventilation. These products are not approved by either the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or state authorities, making their sale and use particularly dangerous for families and children.
“New Yorkers should never have to worry that the products being sold in their communities could seriously harm their families,” said Attorney General James. “These illegal pesticides are dangerous and unregulated, and my office is taking action to stop the flow of these products at its source. I am grateful to DEC for its partnership in protecting public health and keeping our communities safe.”
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “The use of unregistered pesticides is unlawful in New York State and poses potential significant risks to human health and the environment. This coordinated effort involving DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement and Bureau of Pesticides Management and the Office of the Attorney General should serve as a reminder to wholesalers, distributors, and retailers across the state that DEC and our partners will be out in force this spring and summer to ensure the proper and legal use of pesticides as we work to protect families in New York City and beyond.”
The investigation has focused on “Sniper,” a highly toxic insecticide linked with several poisoning cases reported by local poison centers. Authorities identified certain Bronx wholesalers as part of this supply chain, prompting this week’s enforcement actions where inspectors located illegal stockpiles that were then quarantined.
According to the official website, Letitia James heads an agency that promotes social justice through civil rights enforcement, consumer advocacy, tenant dispute mediation, fraud investigations, charities oversight, public safety protection, environmental preservation, civil rights defense, consumer protections upholding—operating statewide via regional offices—and serves as a public law enforcement body for New York.
Attorney General James thanked DEC for its collaboration on this ongoing case.
