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

BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
British American Tobacco’s New Category revenue rose 18% at constant rates in the first half of 2026. Nicotine-pouch brand Velo expanded rapidly, while Vuse recovered as U.S. enforcement against illicit e-vapor products strengthened. Heated-tobacco platform glo remained under pressure, and cigarettes continued to provide most of the group’s profit and cash. Compared with PMI and JT, BAT has more routes to growth—but also greater regulatory, investment and execution risks across its broader portfolio.
BAT
Jul.30
Nasdaq-Listed Vape Company iSpire Technology Restructures Leadership as Tuanfang Liu Becomes Sole CEO, BTIG Initiates Coverage on ODM Growth Opportunity
Nasdaq-Listed Vape Company iSpire Technology Restructures Leadership as Tuanfang Liu Becomes Sole CEO, BTIG Initiates Coverage on ODM Growth Opportunity
Nasdaq-listed vape company iSpire Technology has restructured its leadership team, with Tuanfang Liu becoming the company’s sole chief executive officer (CEO) and Michael Wang appointed CEO of Aspire North America. The move ends iSpire’s previous co-CEO structure and creates clearer responsibilities between group strategy and regional execution. Separately, BTIG initiated coverage on iSpire Technology with a Buy rating and a $3.50 price target, identifying ODM growth opportunities as a key investment factor.
Jul.27
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Attorney General Stephen J. Cox has sent notices to more than 1,500 tobacco retailers and distributors warning them against selling vape and nicotine pouch products that lack authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the Alaska Department of Law, businesses were advised to verify products against FDA authorization databases and avoid selling unauthorized nicotine products. The action highlights how state-level enforcement is increasingly extending federal product authorization requirements to retail channels.
Jul.24
Product | BAT Japan Launches virto Bright Peach Click in Japan, Expanding glo Hilo’s Capsule-Based Flavor Portfolio
Product | BAT Japan Launches virto Bright Peach Click in Japan, Expanding glo Hilo’s Capsule-Based Flavor Portfolio
British American Tobacco Japan (BAT Japan) has introduced virto Bright Peach Click, a new heated tobacco stick designed for the glo Hilo system. The product expands the existing virto consumable lineup with a combination of tobacco, menthol and ripe peach flavors, featuring a capsule mechanism that releases additional fruit flavor when activated. The product launched in Japan on July 27, 2026, through glo official online channels, convenience stores and tobacco retailers.
Aug.03
Iowa Enforces Vape Registry Law as Retailers Warn Product Limits Could Increase Store Pressure
Iowa Enforces Vape Registry Law as Retailers Warn Product Limits Could Increase Store Pressure
Iowa has begun enforcing its vape registry law, requiring vape products to be registered before they can be legally sold in the state. The move follows a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to lift an injunction that had blocked enforcement. Retailers have warned that tighter product availability rules could increase pressure on vape shops. One Iowa retailer said that if only a limited number of products remain available, many stores could face significant business challenges.
Aug.06
U.S. FDA: Youth E-Cigarette Prevention Campaign Prevented About 444,000 Initiations and Reduced Illegal Vape Sales
U.S. FDA: Youth E-Cigarette Prevention Campaign Prevented About 444,000 Initiations and Reduced Illegal Vape Sales
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said its youth e-cigarette prevention campaign, “The Real Cost,” prevented about 444,000 U.S. youth from starting e-cigarette use between 2023 and 2024 and blocked more than $42 million in unauthorized e-cigarette sales that would have been used by youth.
Market
Jun.25