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.

JTI reshuffles regional leadership; Gabriella Offeddu to lead Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria
JTI reshuffles regional leadership; Gabriella Offeddu to lead Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has appointed Gabriella Offeddu as general manager for Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria, effective January 2026.
Jan.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Wales Passes Law Banning Tobacco Sales to Anyone Born After 2009
Wales Passes Law Banning Tobacco Sales to Anyone Born After 2009
The Welsh Parliament (Senedd) has approved new legislation banning tobacco sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. The law, passed on December 9, 2025, also imposes stricter controls on how vapes and nicotine products are advertised and sold. Designed by the UK Government but voted on separately in Wales, the bill passed with 36 votes in favor, two abstentions, and nine against. It grants stronger enforcement powers to Trading Standards to combat illegal tobacco and vape sales.
Dec.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Complete Vape Prohibition Takes Effect Across Uzbekistan
Complete Vape Prohibition Takes Effect Across Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has enacted a nationwide ban on the sale and circulation of e-cigarettes and related vape liquids, following the approval of a new law signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The legislation introduces criminal liability for violations, with penalties including fines of 300 to 500 basic calculation units (approximately US$10,300–17,200), corrective labor for up to three years, or imprisonment for up to five years.
Nov.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Spain’s Competition Authority Questions Disposable Vape Ban
Spain’s Competition Authority Questions Disposable Vape Ban
Spain’s National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) has issued an opinion on the draft reform of the Tobacco Law proposed by the Ministry of Health, urging reconsideration of several measures. These include a proposed ban on disposable e-cigarettes and the full alignment of vaping products with traditional tobacco regulation.
Dec.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thai Customs Region 2 seizes 22,800 YOOZ-branded vape pod heads
Thai Customs Region 2 seizes 22,800 YOOZ-branded vape pod heads
Thailand’s Customs Region 2 searched a private logistics company in Mukdahan province and seized 22,800 vape pod heads with no evidence of customs clearance. The seized items weighed 389.50 kg in total and were valued at more than THB 4.5 million (about USD 143,581.90). The photo shows packaging marked “YOOZ”.
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Swedish Match to Revamp ZYN Lineup, Discontinue Four Nicotine Pouch Products in 2026
Swedish Match to Revamp ZYN Lineup, Discontinue Four Nicotine Pouch Products in 2026
According to Swedish Match’s website, the company plans to discontinue four ZYN nicotine pouch products in 2026, spanning different flavors and strength variants, and is directing consumers to existing substitute options.
Dec.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai