I do not think there is any doubt that these things are still being churned out today. When Murphy first surfaced them he argued that they were oringinally packaged second hand by a third party for sale at retail stores at Christmas. The 3d party and retail stores were never identified as far as I know. Nor is it clear when this packaging took place originally. Some say the 60s, some the 70s, some the 80s and some the 90s. Some say they can tell the "originals" by the staples or packaging. But no one argues they are a Topps product and everyone concedes they are used/handled/returned/excess cards.
Here is something I got from Murphy and Murphy's business partner when I asked about them early on
