Kazakh Police Seize Nearly 1,000 Illegal Vapes, Including ELFBAR and WAKA

Nov.20.2024
Kazakh Police Seize Nearly 1,000 Illegal Vapes, Including ELFBAR and WAKA
Kazakh police cracked down on illegal vape trading, seizing 916 vapes worth $20,000. The confiscated products include multiple brands such as "ELFBAR" and "WAKA".

Kazakhstani police arrested a 21-year-old suspect in Rid for attempting to sell prohibited goods to a local resident. In the suspect's warehouse, police seized 916 vapes worth 10 million tenge (20,000 US dollars), involving multiple brands such as "ELFBAR" and "WAKA", according to the Kazakhstani Ministry of Internal Affairs.

 

According to police sources, a pre-trial investigation has been launched into the case. The investigation found that the suspect purchased the goods through an anonymous intermediary on a messaging app, intending to resell them.

 

Under current laws, suspects may face fines of up to 200 times the monthly calculation index (MCI), labor reform for the same duration, up to 200 hours of community service, or up to 50 days of detention.

 

Since the law came into effect, police in the East Kazakhstan region have intercepted over 2,200 e-cigarettes, more than 540 types of flavored e-liquids, 54 smokeless tobacco products, approximately 240 pods, and 56 vaporizers.

 

To date, 11 criminal cases have been filed, with 4 resulting in convictions. Those convicted have been fined a total of 150 times the monthly calculation index (MCI).

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