Russian Authorities Bust Organized Tobacco Counterfeiting Group

Nov.24.2022
Russian Authorities Bust Organized Tobacco Counterfeiting Group
Organized group selling untaxed tobacco products discovered in Chechnya, Russia; four suspects under investigation.

The source of the images from the scene where smugglers were caught is the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.


According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, an organized group has been identified as participating in the supply and sale of counterfeit tobacco products in the Chuvash Republic during operations and investigations by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. These unmarked products were sold in electronic cigarette packaging through retail stores, unrelated to mandatory labeling of goods. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Chuvash Republic has initiated criminal proceedings against four defendants (including a Ukrainian and residents of the Kozlovsky and Batareivsky districts and Cheboksary), under Part 6 of Article 171.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, for the sale of mass quantities of unmarked goods and products, including over 120,000 packs of cigarettes worth more than 13 million rubles (approximately 1.53 million yuan). The investigation into the criminal case is currently ongoing.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry exchange and learning purposes only.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the content. The translation of this article is solely for industry-related exchange and research purposes.


Due to limitations in translation ability, the translated article may not fully reflect the original wording. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign-related statements and positions.


The copyright for compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us to request deletion.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Product | 25-second preheat and 2,250mAh battery: Heaven Gifts’ REJO launches new HNB device on Japanese and UK e-commerce platforms
Product | 25-second preheat and 2,250mAh battery: Heaven Gifts’ REJO launches new HNB device on Japanese and UK e-commerce platforms
REJO, Heaven Gifts’ heated tobacco (HNB) brand, has listed the REJO CUBE on its official website. The device features a magnetic modular design with a detachable battery and an OmniHeat™ 360° heating system, and is now available via e-commerce channels in Japan and the UK, priced at 6,980 yen (about $45) in Japan.
Mar.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris International: Over $20 Billion Invested in the U.S. Since 2022; IQOS ILUMA to Launch Pending FDA Authorization
Philip Morris International: Over $20 Billion Invested in the U.S. Since 2022; IQOS ILUMA to Launch Pending FDA Authorization
Philip Morris International (PMI) said its U.S.-related investments have topped $20 billion since 2022, when it entered the U.S. market through its roughly $19 billion acquisition of Swedish Match. The company also said it plans to launch its heated tobacco product IQOS ILUMA in the United States pending authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Scandinavian Tobacco Group releases 2025 results: tariffs and weaker demand weigh on performance, revenue about $1.4 billion
Scandinavian Tobacco Group releases 2025 results: tariffs and weaker demand weigh on performance, revenue about $1.4 billion
Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) reported its 2025 results: revenue was 9.036 billion Danish kroner (about $1.407 billion); EBITDA before special items was 1.791 billion Danish kroner (about $278 million); and free cash flow before acquisitions was 595 million Danish kroner (about $92.7 million). Multiple metrics declined year over year, and the company did not meet its Q3-updated guidance for revenue and free cash flow.
Mar.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Canadians visiting Mexico warned of stricter penalties for bringing e-cigarettes or vaping devices
Canadians visiting Mexico warned of stricter penalties for bringing e-cigarettes or vaping devices
Canadians traveling to Mexico should avoid packing e-cigarettes or vaping devices, citing Canada’s travel advisory warning that tourists have been banned from bringing such items into Mexico since 2025. The advisory says customs officials could confiscate the items upon arrival and travelers could be fined or detained.
Feb.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Reynolds American’s Grizzly expands NASCAR presence, to be primary sponsor for 27 Kaulig Racing Cup races in 2026
Reynolds American’s Grizzly expands NASCAR presence, to be primary sponsor for 27 Kaulig Racing Cup races in 2026
Grizzly Nicotine Pouches, a brand of American Snuff Company (ASC), a Reynolds American unit, said it will increase its NASCAR investment in the 2026 season, serving as primary sponsor for a combined 27 races across Kaulig Racing’s two full-time NASCAR Cup Series cars. The company added that Grizzly is already one of NASCAR’s official partner brands across all NASCAR tracks.
Jan.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia joint operation seized $19,000 worth of vape liquid in Likas
Malaysia joint operation seized $19,000 worth of vape liquid in Likas
More than 2,300 units of vape liquid worth over RM75,000 were seized during an integrated operation at premises in Likas near Kota Kinabalu. During Ops Taring Landai E-Cigarette Mega on Feb 10 night, the Marine Police, Sabah Health Department officials and district police detected a shop displaying 92 types of vape pods and, after further searches, found 2,353 units of vape liquid stored on the premises.
Feb.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai