Hohhot Cracks First Illegal Vaping Business Case, Involving Over RMB 2 Million

Recently, the Environmental, Food, and Drug Investigation Brigade of the Xincheng Branch of the Hohhot Public Security Bureau cracked Hohhot’s first illegal e-cigarette business case. Three suspects were arrested, more than 10,000 e-cigarette products were seized, and the total amount involved exceeded RMB 2 million.

Seized e-cigarette products

On June 11, the Xincheng District Tobacco Monopoly Bureau in Hohhot discovered that someone at a location in Xincheng District was suspected of illegally operating an e-cigarette business, with a relatively large amount involved, and therefore transferred the case to the Environmental, Food, and Drug Investigation Brigade of the Xincheng Branch for handling in accordance with the law.

After the case was transferred, the brigade quickly opened an investigation. It was found that suspects Li, Liu, and Cao had jointly operated an e-cigarette shop. Due to poor business performance, the shop closed and its tobacco retail license was canceled. The three then stored the remaining e-cigarette products at a location in Xincheng District and continued selling them. After a preliminary valuation of the more than 10,000 seized e-cigarette products, the amount involved in the case reached more than RMB 2 million.

During questioning, Li, Liu, and Cao confessed to their illegal operation of e-cigarette products. At present, the three criminal suspects have been criminally detained by the police in accordance with the law for illegal operation of e-cigarettes, and the case is under further investigation.