Russian Tatarstan region dismantles counterfeit tobacco sales network

The police in Tatarstan, Russia, successfully dismantled a large network of counterfeit cigarette and alcohol products, seizing over 4,000 packs of counterfeit cigarettes and more than 1,800 liters of fake alcohol.

According to Russian media outlet Kommersant, the local police reported that during their operation, they confiscated over 4,000 packs of counterfeit cigarettes and more than 1,800 liters of alcohol.

The law enforcement agencies have dismantled a small retail network primarily selling alcoholic products and suspected counterfeit tobacco. They also discovered a warehouse used for storing these goods, along with their transporter. The transporter was arrested in Kazan, where his vehicle contained 100 boxes, each holding 5,000 bottles of 100 milliliters, totaling 500 liters of products. Additionally, they found 1,300 liters of alcohol and 409 sets of counterfeit cigarettes in the gang's warehouse.

According to preliminary investigations, the buyer and two other suspects planned to sell these goods in stores in Kazan and Nizhnekamsk. Their actions violated Articles 171.1 and 171.3 of the Russian Criminal Code. Currently, the seized products have been sent for expert evaluation, and legal decisions will be made based on the test results.