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.

Australian Government launches new phase of “Give Up For Good” to help people quit smoking and vaping
Australian Government launches new phase of “Give Up For Good” to help people quit smoking and vaping
On January 19, 2026, the Australian Government launched a new phase of the “Give Up For Good” campaign, adding resources and support for Australians looking to quit smoking and vaping.
Jan.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | OXBAR Lists GOSLIM Disposable Vape on Its Website, Featuring Embedded Leather and a Slim Display Window Design
Product | OXBAR Lists GOSLIM Disposable Vape on Its Website, Featuring Embedded Leather and a Slim Display Window Design
OXBAR has updated its official website and listed a new disposable product, GOSLIM. The device is rated at 26,000 puffs, measures 40 × 22 × 110 mm, and weighs about 75 g, featuring an “embedded leather” exterior design. It supports two power modes—ECO and BOOST—and includes a digital display showing remaining battery percentage, remaining e-liquid level, and the active mode.
Jan.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Indonesia’s Vape Excise Revenue Rises 7.38% in 2025 to $170.4M Amid Broader Tobacco Excise Decline
Indonesia’s Vape Excise Revenue Rises 7.38% in 2025 to $170.4M Amid Broader Tobacco Excise Decline
Indonesia’s customs data show vape (REL) excise revenue reached Rp 2.84 trillion in 2025 (≈$170.4 million), up 7.38% year over year. The gain came even as overall tobacco excise revenue declined. Minimum retail price benchmarks (HJE) for vape products rose in 2025, while excise rates remained unchanged from 2024; open-system e-liquids accounted for the largest share of revenue.
Jan.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Croatian decree raises excise duties on tobacco products effective January 1, 2026
Croatian decree raises excise duties on tobacco products effective January 1, 2026
Croatian government decree provides that higher excise duties on tobacco manufactures and tobacco products take effect from January 1, 2026. Excise on e-liquid is set at €0.25 per millilitre, on heated tobacco products at €211.30 per kilogram, and on a new tobacco product at €126.90 per kilogram. The decree’s explanation says 2026 budget revenue from these excises is expected to increase by €129.1 million.
Jan.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea online purchasing fuels spread among younger groups; online drug cases share climbs
South Korea online purchasing fuels spread among younger groups; online drug cases share climbs
Police said detections of new drugs disguised as e-cigarettes reached 1,206 cases through September last year, up from 941 in 2022, and the number of detected drug types increased from 26 to 33 over the same period.
Feb.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Police dismantle a network of 50+ stores selling unmarked nicotine products in the Moscow region
Police dismantle a network of 50+ stores selling unmarked nicotine products in the Moscow region
TASS reported that police dismantled a distribution network in the Moscow region selling nicotine-containing products, e-cigarettes and vapes without mandatory markings, with organizers earning more than 10 million rubles per month (more than about $130,000). Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk said some items were labeled with counterfeit identification tools of the Chestny Znak system, while others had no codes.
Dec.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai