Arrest of Six Suspects in Moscow for Selling Unsafe Products

Jul.21.2022
Arrest of Six Suspects in Moscow for Selling Unsafe Products
Russian police arrested 6 suspects for storing and selling unsafe products, including counterfeit electronic cigarettes with high nicotine content.

The Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Department of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has detained six individuals in Moscow, three of whom are foreign nationals, for allegedly storing and selling products that do not meet safety requirements.


It has previously been confirmed that an international channel is supplying Moscow with a large quantity of unqualified electronic cigarettes.


Nicotine-containing electronic cigarette products, marketed under the guise of small household appliances, are being imported from East Asia to Russia. In order to legalize the goods, the defendant forged accompanying documents and quality certificates. Subsequently, the cigarettes are supplied to trading companies and sold through online shops.


The operator provided their products to experts for analysis, which revealed that the nicotine content was significantly higher than what was stated on the packaging. This poses a threat to the life and health of consumers.


Police officers, with the support of Rosgvardia employees, conducted searches of the residences, offices, and warehouses of members involved in the operation, resulting in the seizure of over 150,000 electronic cigarettes, more than 600 million rubles in cash, foreign currency, accounting documents, promissory notes, and other items of evidentiary value.


An investigator from the GSU IC of the southern administrative region of the Russian Federation, Chertanovsky MRSO SU, has initiated criminal proceedings under Article 238, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The detained individual is currently being considered for sentencing.


An investigation is currently underway.


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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.

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