Shenzhen Police Uncover Counterfeit ALIBARBAR Vape Case Worth Tens of Millions

Nov.18.2024
Shenzhen Police Uncover Counterfeit ALIBARBAR Vape Case Worth Tens of Millions
Shenzhen police, in collaboration with the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, successfully cracked a major case involving counterfeit ALIBARBAR vapes.

Statement:

On November 22, 2Firsts received a letter from Shenzhen Xiyue Intelligent Technology Manufacturing Co., Ltd. The letter stated that the products shown in the original and counterfeit comparison images in the article "ALIBARBAR Counterfeit Case," first published on sznews were not produced by the company. However, the vape production license number displayed in the images belongs to the company and is suspected of being misappropriated.

 

Since sznews has removed the images, 2Firsts has also deleted them. This statement is issued for clarification.


Shenzhen police and the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration seized tens of thousands of counterfeit ALIBARBAR vapes worth millions, cracking a major case and targeting illegal counterfeit sales, sznews reported on November 15.

 

Shenzhen Police Uncover Counterfeit ALIBARBAR Vape Case Worth Tens of Millions
Crime scene | Image source: sznews

 

Law enforcement in Shenzhen conducted simultaneous raids across multiple locations in one district, shutting down three counterfeit vape production and sales operations. The raids resulted in the seizure of tens of thousands of fake ALIBARBAR vapes, along with manufacturing equipment, raw materials, and packaging materials.

 

Shenzhen Police Uncover Counterfeit ALIBARBAR Vape Case Worth Tens of Millions
Scene of the crime | Image source: sznews

 

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crimes of producing and selling counterfeit vapes. They admitted to manufacturing large quantities of fake vapes for high profits and distributing them to overseas markets. The case is currently under further investigation.

 

Shenzhen Police Uncover Counterfeit ALIBARBAR Vape Case Worth Tens of Millions
Crime scene | Image source: sznews

 

Shenzhen police announced their commitment to cracking down on counterfeit production and sales, working closely with the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration and other authorities to protect consumer rights. 

 

They also advised consumers to buy vape products only from official channels, warning that using counterfeit products could lead to serious health risks.

U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi Questions FDA Over Planned PMTA Rewrite, Seeks Communications With Altria and Reynolds
U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi Questions FDA Over Planned PMTA Rewrite, Seeks Communications With Altria and Reynolds
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi on Oct. 6 questioned the FDA over its plan to reassess and potentially replace the 2021 PMTA regulatory framework, asking the agency to identify provisions it may change or eliminate, state whether current scientific evidentiary standards will be maintained, and disclose communications with Altria, Reynolds and other parties challenging the rule. Krishnamoorthi led a congressional investigation into JUUL and youth vaping in 2019 and has since remained active on e-cigarette regulation and enforcement.
Regulations
Oct.08
Malaysia's Poisons Board Backs New Vape Nicotine Exemption After Unanimously Opposing 2023 Proposal
Malaysia's Poisons Board Backs New Vape Nicotine Exemption After Unanimously Opposing 2023 Proposal
Malaysia's Poisons Board has endorsed Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad's proposal to exempt liquid nicotine used in vaping products from the Poisons List, according to a November 2, 2026, report by CodeBlue. The Board unanimously opposed a similar proposal in 2023, but the government proceeded with the exemption. The Kuala Lumpur High Court invalidated the 2023 decision in May 2026, and the government withdrew its appeal in August. No new ministerial order has been published. The development raises questions about the interaction between Malaysia's two regulatory frameworks and the treatment of RM354.51 million in excise duties collected on e-cigarette and vape products between May 2023 and June 11, 2026.
Regulations
Nov.03
Germany's Four-Year Tobacco Tax Plan Heads to Parliament as BAT, JTI and PMI Push for Changes
Germany's Four-Year Tobacco Tax Plan Heads to Parliament as BAT, JTI and PMI Push for Changes
Germany's parliament is scheduled to hold a first reading of amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act on September 24. The government plans annual tax increases from 2027 through 2030 covering cigarettes, heated tobacco, vaping liquids and other categories. It expects the reform to generate €756 million in additional revenue in 2027, rising to €3.589 billion in additional annual revenue by 2030. Ahead of the parliamentary debate, the German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products, or BVTE, launched the "Tabaksteuer mit Augenmaß" campaign backed by BAT, JTI, Philip Morris, Reemtsma and wholesale and retail groups.
Sep.23
Bret Koplow Takes Permanent Charge of FDA Tobacco Center After Pushing Faster PMTA Reviews, as HHS Emphasizes Innovation and Access to Lower-Risk Alternatives
Bret Koplow Takes Permanent Charge of FDA Tobacco Center After Pushing Faster PMTA Reviews, as HHS Emphasizes Innovation and Access to Lower-Risk Alternatives
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named Bret Koplow permanent director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, ending his period as acting chief. Koplow has spent years working on tobacco regulation, law and policy inside the FDA and, while serving as acting director, pushed for faster PMTA reviews and nicotine pouch review pilots. HHS also said CTP will prioritize innovation and access to less harmful alternatives for adult smokers while continuing efforts to protect youth.
Sep.09
Special Report|CrossBar's High-Puff Vapes Draw Attention on Pennsylvania's 163-Product Directory as Link Between Earlier 1.3mL PMTA Filings and New 13mL Products Remains Unclear
Special Report|CrossBar's High-Puff Vapes Draw Attention on Pennsylvania's 163-Product Directory as Link Between Earlier 1.3mL PMTA Filings and New 13mL Products Remains Unclear
Pennsylvania began enforcing its electronic nicotine delivery system directory restrictions on October 19, 2026. Among 163 product listings recorded before enforcement, four CrossBar 20K disposables stood out with 13mL capacity, advertised puff counts of up to 20,000 and a flattened design distinct from conventional pod systems and compact disposables. Historical records identify earlier 1.3mL CrossBar products associated with Romo LLC, while newer 13mL products appeared in several state directories beginning in 2025 under entities including Blue Nine LLC. PMTA compliance expert Mr. K identified amendments and application ownership transfers as possible regulatory mechanisms, although neither has been confirmed in this case. Separately, Reynolds' $7.5 million acquisition of 16 PACHA products and related assets illustrates the commercial value of products linked to historic PMTA submissions.
Special Report
Oct.22
Italian Financial Police Seize 4.3 Million E-Cigarettes and Smoking Accessories; 28 Reported to Judicial Authorities Across Operations
Italian Financial Police Seize 4.3 Million E-Cigarettes and Smoking Accessories; 28 Reported to Judicial Authorities Across Operations
Italy's Guardia di Finanza announced on October 28 that officers in Latina province had seized approximately 4.3 million e-cigarettes and smoking accessories at an unauthorized warehouse in an operation involving restrictions on the possession and sale of tobacco-related products. Another 300,000 suspected counterfeit or unsafe items were confiscated during separate inspections, bringing total seizures across the operations to more than 4.6 million products. Twenty-eight people were reported to judicial authorities over suspected smuggling and counterfeiting offenses. Officials did not disclose separate vape quantities, the value of the merchandise or alleged violations associated with individual brands.
Enforcement
Oct.29