Large-Scale Tobacco Smuggling Operation Discovered in Ireland

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Dec.22.2023
Large-Scale Tobacco Smuggling Operation Discovered in Ireland
Irish Revenue seized over 960kg of Gutkha chewing tobacco, valued at over €500k, in a commercial premises in Meath county. Investigation ongoing.

According to a report by Irish LMFM on December 21, the tax authorities seized nearly 960 kilograms of chewing tobacco, worth over 500,000 euros, from a commercial premises in County Meath, Ireland.

 

The brand of this batch of smuggled chewable tobacco is called "Gutkha," originating from the Czech Republic, with the intended destination being an address in Northern Ireland. The investigation into this case is currently ongoing.

 

According to reports, this seizure is part of the Tax Bureau's efforts to combat the black market economy and the illegal trade of tobacco products.

 

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

Canada Recalls Siberia and ZYN Nicotine Pouches Over Unauthorized Sales
Canada Recalls Siberia and ZYN Nicotine Pouches Over Unauthorized Sales
Health Canada has issued a nationwide recall for nicotine pouch products sold under the Siberia and ZYN brands, citing a lack of market authorization. All affected lots are subject to the recall.
Jun.15
China Discloses First Criminal Case Over Counterfeit Vapes Disguised as “Medical Nebulizers” and “Zero-Nicotine” Products
China Discloses First Criminal Case Over Counterfeit Vapes Disguised as “Medical Nebulizers” and “Zero-Nicotine” Products
Chinese authorities have disclosed the country’s first reported criminal case involving counterfeit vapes marketed as “medical nebulizers” and “zero-nicotine” products. Authorities determined that the products involved were counterfeit vapes and pursued criminal charges for producing and selling counterfeit goods. According to the report, the case resulted in the seizure of 347,000 counterfeit vape pods and 53,700 vape devices, with physical goods valued at 22.13 million yuan.
Aug.04
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey, daily smoking among Australians aged 18 and over fell to a record low of 5.8% in 2025. Health Minister Mark Butler said Australia now has around 500,000 fewer daily smokers than three years ago and credited the government’s vaping reforms as part of broader progress. Among people aged 14 and over, daily smoking declined from 8.3% in 2022-23 to 5.6% in 2025. Daily vaping rates stabilised at 3.6%, while the government also moved to further restrict access to nicotine pouches through unapproved therapeutic import pathways.
Jul.21
JT’s Ploom Volumes Rise 43.5% as Cigarettes Anchor Its Transition
JT’s Ploom Volumes Rise 43.5% as Cigarettes Anchor Its Transition
JT’s Ploom heated-tobacco volumes rose 43.5% in the first half of 2026, while combustibles still represented about 97% of its tobacco volume and remained the main earnings base. In Japan, reduced-risk products now account for 48.7% of industry shipments, shifting competition from category adoption towards brand share, pricing and consumer retention. JT’s results offer a revealing case of a traditional tobacco company pursuing a prolonged, dual-track transformation.
JTI
Jul.30
2Firsts Data | China’s U.S. Vape Exports Have Yet to Regain Previous Growth Momentum in H1 2026, but Hardware Grew 15.2% and 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Rose 234.7%
2Firsts Data | China’s U.S. Vape Exports Have Yet to Regain Previous Growth Momentum in H1 2026, but Hardware Grew 15.2% and 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Rose 234.7%
China’s vape exports to the U.S. reached approximately $1.58 billion in the first half of 2026, remaining broadly stable from a year earlier but still below previous growth momentum. 2Firsts’ analysis of China Customs data shows that the U.S. market has not simply returned to its previous trajectory after the enforcement shock and inventory-driven swings of 2025. Instead, export momentum is shifting across product categories. Vaping devices and atomization hardware increased 15.2% year over year, while 6-methyl nicotine-related and other nicotine substitute products surged 234.7%. Meanwhile, traditional nicotine-containing vaping products continued to face pressure.
Jul.22
Indiana’s Foreign-Made Vape Ban Takes Effect, Forcing Brands and Retailers to Adjust Supply Chains
Indiana’s Foreign-Made Vape Ban Takes Effect, Forcing Brands and Retailers to Adjust Supply Chains
A new Indiana law restricting the sale of foreign-made vape products has taken effect, requiring retailers to adjust inventory and sourcing practices. According to The Sun, WDRB and other reports, some local vape shops are reviewing product origins and supplier information to comply with the new requirements. The measure represents a broader shift in U.S. vape regulation, with oversight expanding beyond product authorization and sales rules toward manufacturing origin and supply-chain management.
Jul.24