Smuggling of Camel Chewing Tobacco Seized at Belarus Border

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.09.2024
Smuggling of Camel Chewing Tobacco Seized at Belarus Border
A Renault Magnum truck carrying smuggled goods from Lithuania was seized at the Kotlovka checkpoint in Belarus.

According to reports from Belarus today, a Renault Magnum truck was detained at the Kotlovka border crossing, carrying a shipment of smuggled goods from Lithuania.

 

The vehicle was initially loaded with self-adhesive labels, but during customs inspection, authorities discovered over 67,000 cans of camel chew tobacco in the front section of the semi-trailer. Preliminary estimates suggest that the total value of this cargo is approximately 835,000 rubles (or around $2,996).

 

Preliminary analysis by the Grodno Customs in the region indicates that the non-tobacco products in these cans contain tobacco particles from the Solanaceae family of plants. Further investigation by the authorities reveals that this batch of camel chewing gum was added in the region of Lithuania.

 

However, this smuggling incident is not an isolated occurrence. In fact, the driver of this truck is a citizen of Belarus who, driven by monetary rewards, opened up the cargo area of the vehicle to unidentified individuals, attempting to transport this batch of prohibited goods across the customs border.

 

According to Article 228, paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code, the Belarusian customs authorities have initiated criminal proceedings against the driver and other individuals involved, accusing them of illegally transporting a large quantity of prohibited or restricted goods across the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union. Furthermore, it is alleged that this action was premeditated. As per this provision, the punishment for this offense ranges from five to ten years imprisonment, along with possible fines.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Nicoventures Granted Rehearing After Philip Morris Challenge Rejected
Nicoventures Granted Rehearing After Philip Morris Challenge Rejected
Nicoventures Trading Ltd., a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT), has won an appeal at the European Patent Office (EPO), convincing the appellate board that examiners had violated its right to be heard by failing to review all of its submissions.
Dec.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
AIR Acquires Germany’s NameLess to Expand Global Presence in Flavored Hookah Market
AIR Acquires Germany’s NameLess to Expand Global Presence in Flavored Hookah Market
AIR Limited, the Dubai-based global leader in hookah and advanced inhalation technologies, announced the acquisition of NameLess, one of Germany’s most recognized brands for premium flavored hookah products.
Dec.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Outlines 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry
2Firsts Outlines 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry
As regulation tightens and innovation matures, competition in the new tobacco industry is shifting. In its 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry report, 2Firsts examines how heated tobacco, nicotine pouches, and vape products are moving beyond feature-driven upgrades toward system-level design, where experience management, compliance structure, and engineering capability increasingly shape long-term competition.
Jan.13 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Russia’s Volgograd Police Seize Illicit Nicotine Products Worth Over US$42.9K+
Russia’s Volgograd Police Seize Illicit Nicotine Products Worth Over US$42.9K+
Police in Russia’s Volgograd region say they seized nicotine products lacking mandatory markings valued at more than RUB 3.3 million (about US$42,900+, using RUB 1 = US$0.013). A 43-year-old suspect allegedly stored and sold the products through two retail outlets in Volgograd’s Central and Dzerzhinsky districts. A criminal case has been opened under Article 171.1(6) of the Russian Criminal Code.
Jan.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. vape firms appeal Mississippi synthetic-nicotine ban, citing FDA authority preemption
U.S. vape firms appeal Mississippi synthetic-nicotine ban, citing FDA authority preemption
A coalition of U.S. vape industry groups has appealed a Mississippi law banning the sale of e-cigarette products containing synthetic nicotine, arguing the statute effectively conditions sales on FDA authorization and unlawfully encroaches on federal regulatory authority. The law took effect in July 2025 and has already begun to be enforced.
Dec.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI AI White Paper Warns of “Cognitive Atrophy” and Attention Erosion, Calls for Focus on Human Cognition’s Evolution
PMI AI White Paper Warns of “Cognitive Atrophy” and Attention Erosion, Calls for Focus on Human Cognition’s Evolution
Philip Morris International (PMI) has released a white paper calling for cross-sector dialogue on how AI may affect human cognitive abilities. The paper flags risks including “cognitive atrophy” and attention erosion, and warns of a widening cognitive divide and rising pressures on information verification and trust.
Jan.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai