Massive Illegal Tobacco Warehouse Found in St. Petersburg

Aug.26.2022
Massive Illegal Tobacco Warehouse Found in St. Petersburg
Police discovered a warehouse with 140,000 counterfeit cigarettes worth an estimated 13.5 million rubles in Saint Petersburg.

On August 24th, according to a report from the main department of the Russian Interior Ministry, police discovered a warehouse containing 140,000 packets of counterfeit cigarettes in the Vyborg district of St. Petersburg. The estimated total cost of the counterfeit goods is 13.5 million rubles.


In February 2022, criminal proceedings were initiated against a 50-year-old resident of Saint Petersburg who was charged with trafficking counterfeit tobacco. During the investigation, the location of the warehouse was discovered. "During further investigation, the police began to establish all links in the chain of criminals involved in trafficking fake cigarettes. As a result, several warehouses were found on the Vyborgskoe highway in Saint Petersburg, where a large amount of illegal tobacco was stored," the report stated.


During the search, the police also detained a 42-year-old woman who had registered as a sole proprietor for a warehouse. The investigation suggests that she had purchased counterfeit cigarettes from the detained defendant.


Earlier, authorities discovered an illegal cigarette production site in a stable located in the southern part of Saint Petersburg.


Statement


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry communication and learning purposes.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the truthfulness or accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is solely for industry exchange and research purposes.


Due to limitations in translation ability, the translated article may not fully convey the intended meaning of the original. Therefore, the original text should be referred to for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan-related, or foreign-related statements or positions.


The copyright of compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Altria’s on!PLUS Nicotine Pouches Reportedly Available in U.S.; Users Say They Have Received Orders
Altria’s on!PLUS Nicotine Pouches Reportedly Available in U.S.; Users Say They Have Received Orders
Social media users reported purchasing Altria’s new nicotine pouch, on!PLUS, in the United States. 2Firsts found that the official on! website had temporarily opened online purchase and store locator functions. The product has not received FDA authorization. Around the same time, British American Tobacco (BAT) suspended its unlicensed Vuse One vape launch in the U.S. amid regulatory pressure.
Oct.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Latvia’s Constitutional Court Upholds Vape Flavor Ban as Constitutional
Latvia’s Constitutional Court Upholds Vape Flavor Ban as Constitutional
The Constitutional Court of Latvia upheld the 2025 vape-flavor ban as constitutional, rejecting appeals by Pro Vape and SIA MASS Industry. Judges said the restrictions serve a legitimate public-health purpose by protecting youth from nicotine addiction and that the social benefits outweigh business losses.
Oct.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philippines Moves to Ban Open-System Vape Cartridges and Uncertified E-Liquids, Removes Several Devices from Compliance List
Philippines Moves to Ban Open-System Vape Cartridges and Uncertified E-Liquids, Removes Several Devices from Compliance List
DTI plans nationwide ban on open system pods and unlicensed e-liquids to ensure consumer safety and health.
Oct.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russian Lawmaker Sounds Alarm as Teenage Vaping Surges—Female Use Overtakes Male
Russian Lawmaker Sounds Alarm as Teenage Vaping Surges—Female Use Overtakes Male
Russia’s Chair of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy warns that among 11–14-year-olds, girls now vape at higher rates than boys, a trend he calls “deeply concerning.” He says the spread of nicotine products—especially e-cigarettes—among minors poses a public health risk and warrants continued policy-level interventions.
Oct.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
The U.S. FDA has launched a pilot program for PMTA review of nicotine pouches to expedite the approval process and enhance regulatory efficiency
The U.S. FDA has launched a pilot program for PMTA review of nicotine pouches to expedite the approval process and enhance regulatory efficiency
In Sept 2025, the US FDA launched a nicotine pouch PMTA pilot to boost review efficiency, streamline processes and uphold strict scientific standards. Based on the "tobacco product health risk continuum" concept, it shortens cycles by focusing on key product factors and enhancing real-time communication with applicants. The FDA also urges child-resistant packaging to tackle kids’ accidental exposure, emphasizes scientific review for new tobacco products, and has approved 20 nicotine pouches so f
Sep.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris Korea Launches IQOS ILUMA Capsule Stick “TEREA Riviera Pearl,” Unveils New Packaging Design
Philip Morris Korea Launches IQOS ILUMA Capsule Stick “TEREA Riviera Pearl,” Unveils New Packaging Design
Philip Morris Korea announced it will launch TEREA Riviera Pearl, a capsule-tipped stick designed exclusively for the IQOS ILUMA series, on the 22nd. The new product opens with a cooling profile and, once the capsule is pressed, shifts instantly to a fresher, more vibrant taste—targeting adult users who prefer “cooling + capsule flavor-switching.”
Sep.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai