Key Takeaways
- Moscow police seized about 65,000 nicotine-containing products from a man.
- The products were valued at about RUB 30 million, or about USD 395,727.
- Russian Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk reported the case on May 6.
- Police said the suspect allegedly established an unlicensed shadow channel for importing large batches of e-cigarettes.
- Some of the seized e-cigarettes had expired, and the products will be destroyed under legal procedure.
2Firsts, May 11, 2026
According to Vechernyaya Moskva, Russian Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk said law enforcement officers in Moscow seized about 65,000 e-cigarette-related products from a man, with a value of more than RUB 30 million, or about USD 395,727 based on Wise’s May 6, 2026 exchange rate of USD 1 = RUB 75.81.
Police said the man was suspected of unlicensed imports
The report said the suspect had allegedly established a shadow channel for importing large batches of e-cigarettes without the relevant license.
Searches covered residential and warehouse premises
Volk said police found about 65,000 nicotine-containing products worth about RUB 30 million, or about USD 395,727, during searches of residential and warehouse premises. She said some of the e-cigarettes had already expired.
Seized products will be destroyed
Volk said the illegal goods were transferred for safekeeping to the Central Federal District interregional office of Rosalkogoltabakkontrol and will be destroyed in accordance with legal procedure.
The suspect was charged and placed under house arrest
The report said the man was charged and placed under house arrest. Law enforcement officers are now identifying accomplices in the case.
State Duma plans bill to fully ban e-cigarette sales
The original report also said a bill is being prepared for submission to the State Duma that would completely ban the sale of e-cigarettes in Russia.
Image Source: Global Look Press
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