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.



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.

Philip Morris Japan Unveils TEREA “Blossom Pearl” for IQOS ILUMA
Philip Morris Japan Unveils TEREA “Blossom Pearl” for IQOS ILUMA
Philip Morris Japan announced that it will launch “TEREA Blossom Pearl,” a new tobacco stick for IQOS ILUMA, on May 11. The new product will expand the TEREA lineup to 27 variants. It features a capsule menthol flavor with strawberry and subtle herbal notes and is priced at JPY 620, or about USD 4.14 based on an assumed rate of 1 JPY = 0.00668 USD. The exchange-rate source should be verified and added.
Apr.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thailand’s DDC Reaffirms Nicotine Pouches Are Regulated Under the Tobacco Products Control Act
Thailand’s DDC Reaffirms Nicotine Pouches Are Regulated Under the Tobacco Products Control Act
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control has warned the public not to believe claims that nicotine pouches are harmless, saying the products contain high levels of nicotine that can enter the bloodstream through the mouth lining and affect the nervous system and brain.
Apr.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
From myblu to Zone: Imperial Brands Refocuses NGP Strategy in HY26
From myblu to Zone: Imperial Brands Refocuses NGP Strategy in HY26
mperial Brands’ HY26 results point to a more selective NGP transition. The company is using cash flow from traditional tobacco to fund targeted investments in modern oral nicotine, heated tobacco and reusable vaping systems. Its decision to exit the legacy myblu vaping business in the U.S., while expanding Zone nicotine pouches. In Europe, Imperial’s NGP growth is being driven by a multi-category portfolio including blu, Pulze and Zone/Skruf.
Special Report
May.12
Why Many E-Liquids Today Are "Not Bad, but Not Memorable" – Mylor’s Approach to Experience Design
Why Many E-Liquids Today Are "Not Bad, but Not Memorable" – Mylor’s Approach to Experience Design
From May 8 to 10, 2026, Mylor (Booth E70) will exhibit at The Vaper Expo UK, where it will showcase its systematic experience design solutions for e-liquids. At present, the e-liquid market commonly faces a challenge: many products have “no obvious shortcomings, but lack memorable features.” In response, Mylor has proposed refined solutions across multiple dimensions, including device-adaptive sweetness, progressive cooling sensation, fruit-oriented sourness, and segmented nicotine experience.
May.08
South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe
South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe
South Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy said on May 4 that it requested the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency and Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency to investigate three sales companies on suspicion of violating the Tobacco Business Act.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Australian State Targets Illegal Tobacco Retailers With Tougher Closure Powers
Australian State Targets Illegal Tobacco Retailers With Tougher Closure Powers
According to Reuters, Australia’s state of Victoria introduced legislation to give police and the state tobacco licensing regulator stronger powers to shut businesses selling illegal tobacco, with non-compliant operators facing fines of more than A$2.4 million and up to 20 years in prison.
Jun.05