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).

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

Al Fakher Enters the Oral Nicotine Market With Four Flavors
Al Fakher Enters the Oral Nicotine Market With Four Flavors
Al Fakher has launched nicotine pouches, marking the world’s leading hookah brand’s entry into the modern oral nicotine category.
Apr.01 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI U.S. White Paper Calls for Greater Access to FDA-Authorized Smoke-Free Alternatives and Risk-Based Taxation
PMI U.S. White Paper Calls for Greater Access to FDA-Authorized Smoke-Free Alternatives and Risk-Based Taxation
PMI’s U.S. business released a white paper and cited a national online survey showing that 79.00% of Americans surveyed believe more should be done to reduce smoking-related harm. The paper calls on policymakers, public health authorities, and medical professionals to place cigarette smoking back at the center of public health priorities, and recommends broader access to FDA-authorized smoke-free alternatives, clearer nicotine risk communication, and risk-based taxation.
Apr.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
RJR Vapor Loses Tax Refund Case as Texas High Court Finds VELO Pouches Taxable
RJR Vapor Loses Tax Refund Case as Texas High Court Finds VELO Pouches Taxable
The Texas Supreme Court issued a case summary on May 8, 2026, describing its decision in Hancock v. RJR Vapor Co. LLC. The dispute centered on whether RJR Vapor’s VELO oral nicotine pouches are taxable as “tobacco products” under the Texas Tax Code. Lower courts had held that the pouches were not taxable tobacco products, but the Texas Supreme Court reversed, concluding that VELO pouches are taxable because they are made of “a tobacco substitute.”
May.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FEELM Releases Four Transparent Pod-Related Solutions for the TPD Market
FEELM Releases Four Transparent Pod-Related Solutions for the TPD Market
FEELM, a technology brand under Smoore, released four product solutions at an industry expo held in France, including OMNI POD MINI, OMNI POD MAX, TWINBREEZE, and CRYSBERG. The solutions are designed around TPD market needs and involve transparent pod design, leak-resistant structures, flavor performance, smart recognition, and different capacity configurations.
Apr.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thailand’s DDC Reaffirms Nicotine Pouches Are Regulated Under the Tobacco Products Control Act
Thailand’s DDC Reaffirms Nicotine Pouches Are Regulated Under the Tobacco Products Control Act
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control has warned the public not to believe claims that nicotine pouches are harmless, saying the products contain high levels of nicotine that can enter the bloodstream through the mouth lining and affect the nervous system and brain.
Apr.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ispire Reports Fiscal Q3 2026 Revenue of $18.7 Million and Net Loss of $9.5 Million
Ispire Reports Fiscal Q3 2026 Revenue of $18.7 Million and Net Loss of $9.5 Million
Ispire Technology reported financial results on May 7, 2026, for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, covering the three months ended March 31, 2026. Revenue was $18.7 million, compared with $26.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 and $20.3 million in the prior quarter. Gross profit was $2.0 million, with gross margin of 10.7%. Net loss was $9.5 million, or $0.17 per share. The company said it held $18.0 million in cash as of March 31, 2026, up $468,000 sequentially.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai