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.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

2Firsts On-Site | PMI Brings IQOS, ZYN, VEEV and Marlboro Together at Its “Boulevard” at InterTabac 2026
2Firsts On-Site | PMI Brings IQOS, ZYN, VEEV and Marlboro Together at Its “Boulevard” at InterTabac 2026
At InterTabac 2026 in Dortmund, PMI is presenting multiple brands and products along “The PMI Boulevard,” including IQOS, ZYN, VEEV and Marlboro. On-site images captured by 2Firsts show dedicated spaces including the IQOS Boutique, ZYN Café, PMI Gallery and Marlboro Office
Market
Sep.16 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Bret Koplow Takes Permanent Charge of FDA Tobacco Center After Pushing Faster PMTA Reviews, as HHS Emphasizes Innovation and Access to Lower-Risk Alternatives
Bret Koplow Takes Permanent Charge of FDA Tobacco Center After Pushing Faster PMTA Reviews, as HHS Emphasizes Innovation and Access to Lower-Risk Alternatives
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named Bret Koplow permanent director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, ending his period as acting chief. Koplow has spent years working on tobacco regulation, law and policy inside the FDA and, while serving as acting director, pushed for faster PMTA reviews and nicotine pouch review pilots. HHS also said CTP will prioritize innovation and access to less harmful alternatives for adult smokers while continuing efforts to protect youth.
Sep.09
California Lawmakers Pass Disposable Nicotine Vape Ban, With Sales Prohibition Set for 2028
California Lawmakers Pass Disposable Nicotine Vape Ban, With Sales Prohibition Set for 2028
According to CBS Los Angeles on August 27, 2026, California lawmakers have passed Assembly Bill 762, which would phase out disposable, battery-embedded nicotine vapes in the state. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, manufacturing and importation of the covered products would be prohibited beginning January 1, 2027, followed by a sales ban on January 1, 2028. Driven primarily by concerns over electronic waste, lithium-battery fires and environmental pollution, the legislation would further shift California’s legal vape market toward rechargeable, refillable or replaceable-pod devices.
Aug.28
BAT CFO Dragos Constantinescu Takes Office, Returning After Seven Years and Former Asahi Europe Leadership Role
BAT CFO Dragos Constantinescu Takes Office, Returning After Seven Years and Former Asahi Europe Leadership Role
Dragos Constantinescu has officially taken up his role as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at British American Tobacco (BAT). He previously spent 16 years at BAT across finance and general management roles in Europe before joining Asahi in 2019 and becoming CEO of Asahi Europe & International in 2025. His return comes as BAT continues to advance its “A Better Tomorrow” transformation.
BAT
Sep.01
Product | JT Expands Vote-Winning EVO Cacao Mint Crystal to Nationwide Retail in Japan, Adds 22-Stick Limited Pack at Same Price
Product | JT Expands Vote-Winning EVO Cacao Mint Crystal to Nationwide Retail in Japan, Adds 22-Stick Limited Pack at Same Price
Japan Tobacco (JT) will expand EVO Cacao Mint Crystal from limited channels to nationwide retail in Japan from October 6, 2026. The Ploom tobacco stick ranked first in the brand's first consumer voting campaign for new tobacco-stick SKUs held earlier this year. JT will also introduce a limited 22-stick pack at the same JPY 620 price as the standard 20-stick pack. The capsule-format product combines menthol with sweet, bittersweet cacao notes and adds a berry nuance when the capsule is crushed.
Sep.09
UK-Listed Consumer Goods Group Supreme Sees Vape Duty as Potential Consolidation Opportunity, Holds FY27 Outlook
UK-Listed Consumer Goods Group Supreme Sees Vape Duty as Potential Consolidation Opportunity, Holds FY27 Outlook
UK-listed consumer goods group Supreme plc says it continues to expect FY27 trading to meet market expectations as the Vaping Products Duty takes effect on October 1, while maintaining a comparatively positive view of the new tax and compliance regime. Supreme has said the framework could increase compliance complexity for smaller operators and contribute to market consolidation, while its manufacturing, compliance and distribution scale may allow it to gain share. Its 88Vape brand will retain its value positioning.
Sep.18