The Men Making Millions Selling Pepper Spray To ICE

Key Concepts

Pepper Spray & Tear Gas: Non-lethal chemical weapons used for crowd control, causing pain and respiratory distress.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws.
CBP (Customs and Border Protection): U.S. federal agency responsible for securing U.S. borders.
Quantico Tactical: Major supplier of chemical weapons to ICE and CBP, a distributor rather than a manufacturer.
Safari Land/Kadre Holdings/Warren Canders: Manufacturer of non-lethal weapons, owned by a billionaire with shifting political donations.
IICOR Technology: Kadre Holdings-owned company selling robotics to ICE.
ADS (Atlantic Diving Supply)/Luke Hillier: Supplier of military and AI technologies, including pepper spray and tear gas, to ICE and CBP.
Political Funding: The connection between financial contributions to political campaigns and government contracts.

Chemical Weapon Sales to ICE & CBP: A Forbes Investigation

This report details the significant increase in sales of chemical weapons – specifically pepper spray and tear gas – to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agencies, and identifies the key companies profiting from these contracts. The investigation was prompted by the use of pepper spray against protesters, including ICU nurse Alex Prey, during recent demonstrations against immigration policies.

Increased Demand & Contract Values

Government contracting records reveal a substantial rise in purchases of these “non-lethal” chemical weapons. The agencies have signed their largest ever contracts with CBP during the current administration. Specifically, sales have increased dramatically since January 2025.

Quantico Tactical, based in Aberdine, North Carolina, has emerged as the largest supplier, selling $4.7 million worth of tear gas and pepper spray since January 2025. This represents nearly a threefold increase from its $1.7 million in sales during the prior year. The company also secured a $10 million contract in September of last year for firearms and magazines.
ADS (Atlantic Diving Supply), founded by Luke Hillier, has sold over $400,000 in pepper spray and tear gas to ICE and CBP since the current administration took office.
These sales are occurring alongside increased purchases of traditional munitions.

Key Players & Company Structures

The report identifies three key figures and their associated companies:

1. David Hensley & Quantico Tactical: Hensley, a former Marine Corps major, founded Quantico Tactical. The company functions as a distributor, reselling products manufactured by others. A significant portion of Quantico’s inventory originates from Safari Land. Hensley has developed a reputation as a “MAGA aligned hardline conservative” in North Carolina, evidenced by his attempts to influence a local school board with an “anti-woke agenda,” his support for the January 6th Capitol Hill rioters, and his controversial statement referring to a Jewish board chair as a “Nazi.”

2. Warren Canders & Kadre Holdings: Canders, a former Morgan Stanley banker, owns Kadre Holdings, the parent company of Safari Land, a prominent manufacturer of non-lethal weapons. Kadre Holdings also owns IICOR Technology, a Canadian company that sold a robot capable of opening doors, climbing stairs, and deploying smoke bombs to ICE last year. Canders’ political donations have shifted from supporting Hillary Clinton in 2016 ($2,700) to primarily supporting Republican candidates, including $8,400 to the National Republican Congressional Committee and $25,000 to the Win Red fundraising vehicle in 2024. He also contributed $6,600 to Michael Waltz’s congressional campaign and $5,000 to his “warrior diplomat pack.” Waltz later became Trump’s national security advisor before being removed following a security leak. He is now the US ambassador to the UN and continues to support Trump’s border security policies.

3. Luke Hillier & ADS (Atlantic Diving Supply): Hillier founded ADS, which is a major supplier of military and AI technologies, including SkyO drones, body armor, guns, and ammunition, and also supplies pepper spray and tear gas to ICE and CBP. Hillier maintains a lower public profile and has no known political affiliations.

Supply Chain Dynamics

The report highlights the complex supply chain. Quantico Tactical acts as a key reseller for Safari Land, effectively channeling products from the manufacturer to ICE and CBP. ADS also distributes Safari Land equipment. This structure obscures the direct link between the manufacturer and the government contracts.

Political Implications & Potential Shifts

The report notes a potential shift in funding due to recent events. Following the shooting of Alex Prey, Democratic lawmakers are challenging a proposed $10 billion budget increase for ICE. A rejection of this budget boost could significantly impact future contracts and the financial windfalls enjoyed by these companies in 2026.

Notable Quote

While no direct quotes were provided from individuals within the companies, the report emphasizes the connection between political donations and government contracts, implicitly suggesting a quid pro quo.

Technical Terms

Non-lethal Chemical Weapon: Substances designed to incapacitate rather than cause death, such as pepper spray and tear gas.
CBP (Customs and Border Protection): The primary agency responsible for border security and enforcement.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): The primary agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the U.S.
MAGA: "Make America Great Again," a political slogan associated with Donald Trump and conservative populism.

Synthesis

The Forbes investigation reveals a lucrative market for pepper spray and tear gas driven by increased demand from ICE and CBP. A small group of companies, led by Quantico Tactical, Safari Land (through Kadre Holdings), and ADS, are benefiting significantly from these contracts. The report also highlights the political connections of key figures involved, particularly Warren Canders’ shifting political donations and David Hensley’s controversial political stances, raising questions about the influence of money and ideology on government procurement. The future of these contracts remains uncertain, contingent on potential shifts in political priorities and funding allocations.