Police Bust Cross-Provincial Synthetic Drug Trafficking Ring

Aug.15.2022
Police in Tianjin uncovered an illegal drug ring selling "e-cigarettes" containing synthetic marijuana through online platforms.

Tianjin Police Successfully Bust Cross-Province E-Cigarette Trafficking Ring On August 11th, journalist Zhou Siyang reported that since March of this year, Tianjin Dongli Police spent over four months conducting a thorough investigation across several provinces, successfully busting a cross-province e-cigarette trafficking ring that was using the internet as a communication platform and express delivery logistics for its operations. The police dismantled the drug trafficking chain, led by suspects named Li and Wang, and seized nearly a hundred e-cigarettes containing synthetic cannabinoids.


Tipped off clues reveal a "conspiracy" behind online shopping


In early March of this year, the Investigation and Support Division 6 of the Dongli Branch of the Public Security received a tip-off from a vigilant resident named Xiaozhang, who reported on his WeChat Moments that someone within our jurisdiction was suspected of selling prohibited drugs containing narcotics. After receiving the tip-off, the Dongli District Police immediately launched an investigation and tests confirmed that the "electronic cigarettes" sold via the internet contained ingredients of synthetic marijuana. As a result, the Dongli Branch attached great importance to this case and, in conjunction with the Municipal Public Security Narcotics Control Team and other units, promptly established a special task force, initiating a series of investigations, conducting a comprehensive scrutiny of the suspects, outlining their initial identities, and eventually pinpointing Wang Moumou (male, 46 years old, Tianjin), the suspect who used the internet to sell "electronic cigarettes" containing narcotic ingredients. The task force decided to take action and successfully apprehended the suspect.


Follow the Clues" Online Identity is Mysterious and Confusing


The police conducted an interrogation of Wang Moumou and he confessed to selling "electronic cigarettes" containing drugs through the internet. He also admitted to renting a residential property in the same community to store such drugs. Following his guidance, the police seized nearly 100 "electronic cigarettes" containing synthetic cannabinoids in a rented house.


During questioning, Wang revealed an important lead about how he had met an online user from Henan through WeChat, as well as admitting to purchasing electronic cigarettes from him several times. This revealed a key player in the case. The investigation team worked tirelessly day and night to analyze Wang's confession and interpretation, ultimately discovering a crucial lead in the mass of information which gradually uncovered the identity characteristics of Li (male, 29 years old, from Xinxiang, Henan, with a prior record of drug-related offenses). The team swiftly made him a primary target for investigation.


Thousand-Mile Sword" Deploys to Guangdong for Arrests


The suspect, identified as Li, was highly aware of surveillance and unpredictable in his movements, avoiding having a fixed residence and frequently changing his location. He played a game of cat and mouse with the authorities. However, after over two months of relentless investigation, the special task force finally tracked down Li in Huizhou, Guangdong Province. With the assistance of local law enforcement, the team conducted a thorough search of the area where Li was believed to be hiding. This presented many difficulties due to the complex distribution of houses and the presence of mixed crowds. After continuous surveillance, the police finally pinpointed Li's activity area on July 5th. They then quickly captured him in a civilian residence and brought him to justice.


After interrogation, Li admitted without reservation to the fact that he used the internet to sell drugs and shipped them through logistics.


Currently, the criminal suspects Li and Wang have both been taken into custody by the police and the case is under further review. (Names mentioned in the article are pseudonyms for legal purposes.)


This article contains excerpts or reprints from third-party sources. The copyright belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal. Any unit or individual who wishes to reprint must contact the author and not reprint directly.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

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.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

IQOS Enters Kantar BrandZ Global Top 100 for First Time, Valued at $36.6 Billion and Ranked No. 74
IQOS Enters Kantar BrandZ Global Top 100 for First Time, Valued at $36.6 Billion and Ranked No. 74
Philip Morris International’s IQOS has entered the Kantar BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands for the first time, ranking No. 74 with a brand value of $36.634 billion and becoming one of only three newcomers to the 2026 ranking. Kantar said the combined value of the Global Top 100 reached $13.1 trillion, up 22% year on year, while the threshold for entry rose to a record high. PMI says IQOS has more than 35 million users worldwide and surpassed $10 billion in annual net revenues within a decade of launch.
Sep.03
Major U.S.  Vape Distributor Demand Vape Pays at Least $300,000 for White House Lobbying Amid Enforcement Pressure
Major U.S. Vape Distributor Demand Vape Pays at Least $300,000 for White House Lobbying Amid Enforcement Pressure
New York vape distributor Ecto World, which operates as Demand Vape, hired political consultant Roger Stone to lobby the Executive Office of the President on regulation of vaping and related products while facing state enforcement and multiple lawsuits. Public lobbying disclosures show that Ecto World paid at least $300,000 for the work through June 30, 2026. Separately, New York State announced in March that more than 28,500 pounds of vaping products tied to the company had been seized, while New York City and the state have pursued legal or enforcement actions. Public records do not show that the lobbying directly changed any specific regulatory or enforcement outcome.
Sep.08
NAS 2026 | FDA CTP Director Says PMTA Pathway Is “Predicated on Tobacco Harm Reduction”
NAS 2026 | FDA CTP Director Says PMTA Pathway Is “Predicated on Tobacco Harm Reduction”
At the 2026 New Approaches Summit in New York, FDA Center for Tobacco Products Director Bret Koplow said the PMTA pathway is “predicated on tobacco harm reduction.” He outlined four CTP priorities: youth prevention, helping adults quit or switch to lower-risk products, improving relative-risk communication, and reducing unauthorized products. Koplow also addressed flavored e-cigarettes, public risk perceptions, industry credibility and efforts to make PMTA reviews more efficient and predictable.
Sep.26
Product | KIWI Launches Spark 2 and Spark 2 Pro in Germany, Two Hardware Tiers Share Backward-Compatible 2ml Pods
Product | KIWI Launches Spark 2 and Spark 2 Pro in Germany, Two Hardware Tiers Share Backward-Compatible 2ml Pods
KIWI has launched the Spark 2 and Spark 2 Pro refillable pod systems in Germany at official prices of €18 and €29, respectively. Spark 2 uses an 800mAh removable lithium-ion battery in a pen-style body, while Spark 2 Pro features a 1,400mAh removable battery, a box-shaped design and vibration feedback every 20 puffs. Both devices use the same 2ml Spark V2 pods in 0.8Ω and 1.2Ω versions, with AirSync airflow adjustment and a choice between Cotton Tips and conventional Drip Tips. The new pods also remain compatible with the original KIWI Spark.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
HG Innovation, linked to IMiracle and ELFBAR, wins China patent for 6-methylnicotine salts covering vaping and oral products
HG Innovation, linked to IMiracle and ELFBAR, wins China patent for 6-methylnicotine salts covering vaping and oral products
HG Innovation Limited has been granted a Chinese invention patent covering 6-methylnicotine salt formulations and their use in oral and vaping products. The technology forms salts between 6-methylnicotine and alicyclic carboxylic acids, with granted claims extending to oral products, atomization substrates and electronic atomization devices. Applicant-generated tests reported differences in oxidation stability, in-vitro cytotoxicity and aerosol heavy-metal performance compared with selected benzoate or lactate controls. HG Innovation is directly linked to the broader IMiracle and ELFBAR business network.
Sep.04
FRE and ALP Push Modern Oral to 48% of Q2 Sales as Turning Point Brands Changes CEO and Lowers Profit-Guidance Ceiling
FRE and ALP Push Modern Oral to 48% of Q2 Sales as Turning Point Brands Changes CEO and Lowers Profit-Guidance Ceiling
Turning Point Brands said Executive Chairman David E. Glazek will become CEO on October 1, replacing Graham Purdy, who is stepping down for personal reasons. The company narrowed its 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook to $70 million-$80 million from $70 million-$90 million while maintaining Modern Oral gross sales guidance of $330 million-$350 million and net sales guidance of $260 million-$270 million. In the second quarter, Modern Oral net sales rose 128% to $68.4 million and accounted for 48% of company-wide net sales. Adjusted EBITDA fell 50% year over year. TPB shares closed about 10% lower on September 21.
Market
Sep.22 by 2Firsts Perspectives