Slovakian Police Busts Illegal Cigarette Factory at Poultry Farm

Nov.28.2022
Slovakian Police Busts Illegal Cigarette Factory at Poultry Farm
Slovakian police found an illegal cigarette factory at a poultry farm, with 20 foreign workers detained.

During a routine inspection of a poultry farm, the Slovakian police discovered an illegal cigarette factory, which was also one of the largest cigarette factories in Slovakia.


The financial management bureau has detained 20 foreign workers who were employed at a factory in the town of Ubrez in eastern Slovakia's Kosice region.


A group of foreign nationals ranging from 18 to 52 years old have been charged with violating regulations related to product labeling technology in China. They are accused of illegally producing tobacco, alcohol and tobacco products.


Currently, the leader of the illegal group remains unknown. Foreign nationals from Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Bulgaria, and Hungary have been detained by the Kosice prosecutor's office to prevent them from fleeing the country or engaging in further illegal activities. According to Korzar Dolny Zemplin, they could face a prison sentence of eight months.


Belgian, Dutch, and Italian police officials report that some individuals have been previously charged with running illegal tobacco businesses.


Foreign workers were promised monthly salaries ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 euros. Although some members of the group chose not to discuss their experience, others described working 12-hour shifts. The total tax loss for the state amounted to over 6.2 million euros.


The Financial Management Bureau has seized 14.126 billion packs of Marlboro cigarettes, 8.814 billion packs of Richmond cigarettes, and 993,000 packs of Lambert and Butler cigarettes. In addition, they have confiscated 32,000 kilograms of raw tobacco, crushing and cutting tools, filling lines, and other components such as filters, tubes, adhesives, foil, and packaging.


The gang utilized truck transportation to smuggle illegal products into the Sobrance area of Michalovce and the Zabani district of Jesenov.


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 article's content. The translation of this article is solely for industry exchange and research.


Due to limitations in translation ability, the translated article may not express the exact meaning as the original. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


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


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



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.

Tobacco Farming in the New Nicotine Era: Why Indian Farmers Struggle to Transition — Contributed by Samrat Chowdhery
Tobacco Farming in the New Nicotine Era: Why Indian Farmers Struggle to Transition — Contributed by Samrat Chowdhery
In this contributed article to 2Firsts, Mumbai-based journalist and harm reduction advocate Samrat Chowdhery examines India’s tobacco transition from the perspective of agriculture, supply chains and regulation. As noted by 2Firsts, India offers a relevant case for understanding how new nicotine technologies may affect not only consumption, trade and policy, but also tobacco farming.
Special Report
May.29
Canada Faces Growing Debate as Youth Nicotine Pouch Use Reaches 34.8%
Canada Faces Growing Debate as Youth Nicotine Pouch Use Reaches 34.8%
New Canadian research shows that 34.8% of people aged 17 to 27 have tried nicotine pouches, up more than fourfold from 7.6% in 2022. The findings come as Conservative politicians, Alberta’s government and the tobacco industry push Ottawa to relax current restrictions on pouch sales.
Jun.12
Altria’s USSTC to Close Nashville Plant and Shift Operations to Kentucky by 2028
Altria’s USSTC to Close Nashville Plant and Shift Operations to Kentucky by 2028
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC), a subsidiary of Altria Group, announced plans to close its Nashville manufacturing facility by 2028 and consolidate production operations at a new facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
Market
Jun.02
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey, daily smoking among Australians aged 18 and over fell to a record low of 5.8% in 2025. Health Minister Mark Butler said Australia now has around 500,000 fewer daily smokers than three years ago and credited the government’s vaping reforms as part of broader progress. Among people aged 14 and over, daily smoking declined from 8.3% in 2022-23 to 5.6% in 2025. Daily vaping rates stabilised at 3.6%, while the government also moved to further restrict access to nicotine pouches through unapproved therapeutic import pathways.
Jul.21
Illicit Vape and Nicotine Pouch Seizures Concentrated in UK Hotspots, New Data Shows
Illicit Vape and Nicotine Pouch Seizures Concentrated in UK Hotspots, New Data Shows
Freedom of Information (FOI) data from the UK shows that more than 3,000 seizures of illegal nicotine products were recorded in the 2024/25 financial year, with Hull, Liverpool and Bolton emerging as the most active enforcement hotspots — highlighting that the problem of illicit vapes, nicotine pouches and smokeless tobacco products persists across many parts of the country.
Jun.16
FDA Sued Over Allowing Some Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches to Stay on Market
FDA Sued Over Allowing Some Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches to Stay on Market
Public health groups, pediatricians and parents sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on July 14, 2026, challenging a May enforcement guidance that they say allows unauthorized e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches to remain on the market while applications are under review.
Jul.15