Illegal Tobacco and Nicotine Production Factory Raided in St. Petersburg

Jul.11.2024
Illegal Tobacco and Nicotine Production Factory Raided in St. Petersburg
Police in St. Petersburg, Russia, raided a large illegal tobacco and nicotine products factory, seizing millions in equipment and goods.

According to a report from TASS on July 10, the police in St. Petersburg, Russia, have cleared out a large illegal tobacco and nicotine product production factory. Irina Volk, an official representative of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, revealed that the factory also produced e-cigarettes and e-liquid.

Illegal Tobacco and Nicotine Production Factory Raided in St. Petersburg
Image source: Press service of the St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Interior Affairs.


According to Irina Volk, the factory is located in an industrial building in the Vologodsky district, spanning two floors. The building is equipped with machinery for manufacturing snuff and chewing tobacco, as well as products such as e-cigarettes and e-liquids. Preliminary estimates suggest that the value of the seized technical equipment in the factory could be worth tens of millions of rubles.

Illegal Tobacco and Nicotine Production Factory Raided in St. Petersburg
Image source: Press Service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region (Пресс-служба ГУ МВД по Петербургу и Ленобласти)


According to preliminary data, the technical equipment seized from the company is worth tens of millions of rubles. During the police search at the factory, e-cigarette chemical materials, finished tobacco products, and unmarked e-cigarettes were found.

Illegal Tobacco and Nicotine Production Factory Raided in St. Petersburg
Image source: Press Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region


Currently, the police have opened a case under Article 171.1, paragraph 6 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code (production, purchase, storage, transportation, or sale of goods and products without proper labeling and/or the required information according to Russian Federation laws). The seized products and equipment have been sent for assessment.

Illegal Tobacco and Nicotine Production Factory Raided in St. Petersburg
Image source: Press service of the Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Region Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia


Illegal Tobacco and Nicotine Production Factory Raided in St. Petersburg
Image source: Press service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region

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

Ukrainian Media: Polish Vape Distributor Evapify Allegedly Linked to Russian Businessman Named in U.S. “Russia Oligarch Report”
Ukrainian Media: Polish Vape Distributor Evapify Allegedly Linked to Russian Businessman Named in U.S. “Russia Oligarch Report”
According to an investigative report by Euromaidan Press, a Ukrainian English-language independent media outlet, Russian businessman Oleg Boyko has been sanctioned by Ukraine, Poland, Australia and Canada, but has not been added to the European Union’s sanctions list. The report alleges that Evapify, a Polish vape distributor with financial and personal ties to Boyko, holds a significant position in Poland’s disposable vape market.
News
Jun.01
Special Report|Haypp’s Nicotine Pouch Volumes Rise 40%: Who Controls the Digital Shelf for Modern Oral?
Special Report|Haypp’s Nicotine Pouch Volumes Rise 40%: Who Controls the Digital Shelf for Modern Oral?
Haypp Group reported a 40% year-on-year increase in nicotine pouch volumes in the first quarter of 2026, with U.S. and U.K. volumes rising 123% and 102%, respectively. Haypp says around 97% of its consumer traffic is organic and that its Media & Insights business provides brand owners with on-site visibility, trial activation and consumer intelligence. For international tobacco companies, Haypp may be both a growth partner for modern oral products and a new source of channel leverage.
Special Report
May.22
Data|China’s January-May Vape Exports: U.S. Shipments Fall 13.8% as Japan Posts Fastest Growth
Data|China’s January-May Vape Exports: U.S. Shipments Fall 13.8% as Japan Posts Fastest Growth
According to China Customs export data analyzed by 2Firsts, the United States remained China’s largest destination for vape-related exports during January-May 2026 despite a 13.82% year-on-year decline in export value. Meanwhile, exports to Japan, Russia, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates recorded strong growth, highlighting continued diversification across China’s export markets.
Special Report
Jun.29
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Compliance Briefing on Building PMTA Support Capabilities Across the Nicotine Supply Chain
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Compliance Briefing on Building PMTA Support Capabilities Across the Nicotine Supply Chain
2Firsts held a U.S. compliance briefing in Shenzhen to help vaping, heated tobacco and nicotine pouch supply chain companies strengthen PMTA support capabilities. The event focused on supplier documentation, quality systems, traceability, TPMF/TPMP pathways, age verification and customer audit readiness as U.S. compliance expectations increasingly extend deeper into the nicotine supply chain.
Events
Jun.12
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
According to The Star and The Edge Malaysia, tobacco control groups in Malaysia have urged the government to raise tobacco taxes by at least 5% annually, saying the measure could reduce smoking rates and fund public health and social programmes.
News
May.26
Vapesourcing Lists RELX Creator Pro 15K as “Coming Soon,” Shows U.S. Warehouse Shipping Options
Vapesourcing Lists RELX Creator Pro 15K as “Coming Soon,” Shows U.S. Warehouse Shipping Options
2Firsts found that U.S.-facing and cross-border vape retailer Vapesourcing has created a product page for the “RELX Creator Pro 15K Disposable Vape Kit 3%,” marked as “Coming Soon.” The page lists U.S. warehouse shipping options, but does not show that the product is currently available for purchase.
Market
Jun.08