Guangdong Busts First Illegal Heated Tobacco Case, Seizes 920,000 Sticks

Nov.11.2024
Guangdong Busts First Illegal Heated Tobacco Case, Seizes 920,000 Sticks
Guangdong police dismantles illegal tobacco operation in Jiangmen, seizing 91.8k smuggled cigarettes and arresting one suspect.

Recently, under the unified command of the Jiangmen City Public Security Bureau’s Food, Drug, and Environmental Crime Investigation Unit and the Jiangmen Tobacco Monopoly Bureau, the Kaiping Public Security Bureau's Economic Crime Investigation Unit utilized a new policing model combining "expertise, mechanism, and big data," along with a big data model for tobacco-related crimes. 

 

In collaboration with the Kaiping Tobacco Monopoly Bureau, they cracked an illegal cigarette operation, seizing 300,000 KENT cigarettes and 618,000 TEREA heated tobacco sticks on-site, dismantling a storage hub, and arresting one suspect. The case, valued at approximately 820,000 yuan, marks the first crackdown on illegal heated tobacco operations in Jiangmen.

 

Guangdong Busts First Illegal Heated Tobacco Case, Seizes 920,000 Sticks
On-site pictures | Image source: Kaiping City People's Government Website

 

On November 4, 2024, at around 9am, the Economic Investigation Brigade of the Kaiping Public Security Bureau received a tip-off from the Jiangmen Food and Drug Environmental Investigation Detachment, stating that an individual was engaged in illegal cigarette activities in Kaiping City. After receiving the report, the Economic Investigation Brigade of the Kaiping Public Security Bureau quickly launched an investigation. With guidance from the Jiangmen Public Security Bureau Food and Drug Environmental Investigation Detachment, the suspect was identified as Lan Moning (male, 32 years old, from Yulin, Guangxi).

 

Guangdong Busts First Illegal Heated Tobacco Case, Seizes 920,000 Sticks
On-site photos | Image source: Kaiping City People's Government Website

 

After investigation, it was found that Lan Moning received illegally smuggled cigarettes from Guangxi and used a stall in the Fuxiang Market of Changsha Street Office in Kaiping City as a transit storage point for the illegal cigarettes. He would sort, package and disguise the smuggled cigarettes as other goods before selling them to buyers. Around 2pm that day, after determining the specific location of the suspects and the illegal cigarettes, law enforcement officers quickly took action, arresting Lan Moning and destroying one transit storage point. They seized 918,000 cigarettes of 17 different varieties from two brands, including 300,000 KENT brand cigarettes and 618,000 TAREA brand HNB cigarettes, with a total value of approximately 820,000 yuan.

 

Guangdong Busts First Illegal Heated Tobacco Case, Seizes 920,000 Sticks
On-site photos | Image source: Kaiping City People's Government website

 

Currently, Lan Mouning has been criminally detained by the Kaiping police on suspicion of illegal business operations. The successful resolution of this case further cracks down on illegal sales of new tobacco products, effectively maintaining market order and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of consumers. This case has a certain reference value for combating the illegal sale of new tobacco products in the Jiangmen area.

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Smoore Seeks to Toss CCELL Price-Fixing Claim as Court Weighs Vertical Distribution Versus Horizontal Conspiracy
Smoore Seeks to Toss CCELL Price-Fixing Claim as Court Weighs Vertical Distribution Versus Horizontal Conspiracy
Smoore and four authorized U.S. CCELL distributors are asking a California federal court to permanently dismiss a core antitrust claim brought by direct purchasers. Plaintiffs allege that Smoore coordinated minimum wholesale prices, customer allocation and limits on price competition among distributors, amounting to a per se unlawful horizontal conspiracy. The defendants say the alleged conduct reflects ordinary vertical relationships between a manufacturer and its distributors. The court previously dismissed a similar claim, and the latest dispute centers on whether the second amended complaint adds sufficient facts to establish a horizontal agreement.
Sep.14
BAT Expands ITC Infotech Partnership Across Poland, Romania and India to Advance AI
BAT Expands ITC Infotech Partnership Across Poland, Romania and India to Advance AI
ITC Infotech has expanded its multi-year strategic technology partnership with British American Tobacco (BAT), providing technology services across Poland, Romania and India while continuing to support BAT's newly launched Future Capabilities Centre in India and existing technology hubs in Malaysia and Mexico. The companies said the agreement will focus on AI-enabled innovation, technology capability building and greater operational efficiency. The partnership also aligns with BAT's broader Fit2Win transformation programme, under which the group is expanding the use of external technology and business-services partners to simplify its global operating model.
Aug.13
2Firsts Compliance Solutions Hosts PMTA Briefing on FDA Review Signals After JUUL2 Authorization
2Firsts Compliance Solutions Hosts PMTA Briefing on FDA Review Signals After JUUL2 Authorization
Following recent FDA authorizations for JUUL2 and ZYN ULTRA, 2Firsts Compliance Solutions held an online PMTA briefing on Sept. 4 to examine what the decisions may signal about review efficiency, scientific evidence and U.S. market access. Nearly 30 participants from brands, manufacturers, compliance service providers and investment firms joined the discussion.
2Firsts Events
Sep.06
Trump Names Darrell Scott as CDC Tobacco Health Adviser, Citing Tobacco Risks and Harm-Reduction Solutions
Trump Names Darrell Scott as CDC Tobacco Health Adviser, Citing Tobacco Risks and Harm-Reduction Solutions
U.S. President Donald Trump has named Pastor Darrell Scott to serve as an adviser on tobacco health issues on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee to the Director. Trump said Scott would focus on the burden of tobacco-related disease and help examine ways to protect Americans from dangerous tobacco products while supporting solutions that reduce harm. Scott’s public career has largely centered on faith leadership, community advocacy and politics.
Sep.02
Product | JT Launches Ploom AURA Glacier White in Japan, Expanding the Device Ecosystem Through Color and Accessories
Product | JT Launches Ploom AURA Glacier White in Japan, Expanding the Device Ecosystem Through Color and Accessories
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has introduced the Ploom AURA Glacier White heated tobacco device in Japan, adding a new color option to the existing Ploom AURA lineup. The device maintains the existing SMART HEATFLOW technology and HEAT SELECT SYSTEM with four heating modes, while expanding the ecosystem through new accessories including front panels, back covers, a car holder and wireless charging covers. The product entered pre-sale in Japan on June 30, 2026, followed by broader retail availability from July 7.
Aug.03
Australia’s Victoria Steps Up Illegal Tobacco Enforcement With Store Closures and Penalties of Up to A$2.5 Million
Australia’s Victoria Steps Up Illegal Tobacco Enforcement With Store Closures and Penalties of Up to A$2.5 Million
Australia’s state of Victoria has activated new powers allowing Tobacco Licensing Victoria and police to shut premises suspected of selling, supplying or possessing illicit tobacco for up to 90 days. Longer closures can be ordered by a magistrates’ court. Businesses subject to closure orders must generally cease all trading and will be placed on a public list. Breaching a closure order can carry penalties of up to A$2.5 million and 20 years in prison.
Sep.10