409,000 Packs of Untaxed Cigarettes Seized in Russia

Apr.04.2023
409,000 Packs of Untaxed Cigarettes Seized in Russia
Russian officials seized 409,000 untaxed packs of Belarusian cigarettes, worth $4.6 million, disguised as cherry shipments.

Customs officials and federal security service border control personnel in Smolensk, Russia, have seized 409,000 packs of Belarusian cigarettes without tax stamps. The detained goods are estimated to be worth 46 million rubles (approximately 4 million yuan).


Rustam Yakupov, head of the Smolensk Customs Office, stated that a truck travelling from Belarus to Moscow was intercepted in the Kruglovo region of Smolensk. According to documents, the truck was loaded with 20 tons of Chinese frozen cherry without pits, but custom officials discovered large quantities of illegal cigarettes in some of the boxes.


Since the mandatory implementation of honest labeling on April 1st, there has been a growing variety of illegal tobacco transportation methods. Transporting unmarked tobacco products is considered an illegal activity, and those involved may face criminal charges under Article 171.1 of the Russian Criminal Code.


Reference:


Cigarettes disguised as cherries.


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.

British American Tobacco’s Irish unit says VELO pouch sales hit 29m, net revenue climbs to €33.75m
British American Tobacco’s Irish unit says VELO pouch sales hit 29m, net revenue climbs to €33.75m
British American Tobacco’s Irish subsidiary PJ Carroll & Co Ltd reported that sales of its Velo nicotine pouches nearly quintupled in 2024 to 29 million units, driving an 11% year-on-year increase in net revenue to €33.75 million. However, amid a heavy tax burden and declining traditional cigarette volumes, the company’s pre-tax profit fell 8% to €5.69 million.
Dec.01 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Wigan Council and Police Seize Illegal Cigarettes and Vapes Worth £145,000
Wigan Council and Police Seize Illegal Cigarettes and Vapes Worth £145,000
Wigan Council said its Trading Standards team, working with Greater Manchester Police, has seized large quantities of illegal cigarettes and vaping products across the borough in 2025. The confiscated goods, valued at around £145,000, were linked to multiple enforcement actions, including the temporary closure of retail premises and criminal prosecutions. The council said the measures aim to reduce risks posed by illicit tobacco and vape products, particularly to children.
Dec.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Vietnam’s Health Ministry consults on tobacco-control law amendments, proposing an e-cigarette ban
Vietnam’s Health Ministry consults on tobacco-control law amendments, proposing an e-cigarette ban
VTV.vn reports that Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is collecting feedback on a draft amendment to the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms, proposing an e-cigarette ban and broader public health protections.
Jan.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Scottish Retailers Urge Government to Fast-Track Nicotine Pouch Regulations
Scottish Retailers Urge Government to Fast-Track Nicotine Pouch Regulations
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) is calling on the government to clarify the regulatory framework for nicotine pouches in order to prevent high-strength and illegal products from entering the market, stressing that these products should not be targeted at minors.
Dec.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
JT Partners with Japan’s Year-End Music Festivals, Unveils Eight Limited-Edition Ploom AURA Front Panels
JT Partners with Japan’s Year-End Music Festivals, Unveils Eight Limited-Edition Ploom AURA Front Panels
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) will partner with two major year-end music festivals in Japan to set up “Ploom LOUNGE” smoking areas on-site, offering trial experiences of its Ploom AURA heated tobacco device. The company will also launch eight festival-exclusive front panels for Ploom AURA, distributed through on-site exchanges and a member lottery program.
Dec.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ireland Taoiseach Calls for Phasing Out Vapes as Cabinet Considers Ban on Single-Use Devices
Ireland Taoiseach Calls for Phasing Out Vapes as Cabinet Considers Ban on Single-Use Devices
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland should work toward eliminating the use of vapes over time, as the Cabinet meets to consider the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, proposed by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The bill would ban the retail sale of single-use vapes six months after it becomes law.
Nov.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai