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Tag: illicit vape

  • Thailand Police Bust $5.5M Vape Network

    Thailand Police Bust $5.5M Vape Network

    Thai authorities dismantled a large-scale online e-cigarette distribution network following a warehouse raid in Samut Prakan, seizing more than 20,000 vape products valued at over THB200 million ($5.5 million) and arresting seven suspects. Investigators said the operation, linked to online sales through a platform identified as “Shisha Chic,” was processing over 1,000 orders daily, generating several million baht in daily cash flow.

    Police said the suspects were employees responsible for packing and distributing products, while efforts are ongoing to identify and prosecute the network’s organizers. Authorities are also considering action under anti-money laundering laws and have signaled further nationwide crackdowns targeting online sellers, distributors, and illicit retail operations.

  • ‘Made in America’ Claims Rise as Brands Navigate Crackdown

    ‘Made in America’ Claims Rise as Brands Navigate Crackdown

    A Reuters investigation reports a growing wave of vape brands promoting “Made in America” credentials as the U.S. market faces tougher enforcement against unlicensed products, particularly those linked to Chinese manufacturers. The article says at least eight new brands have emerged since October, emphasizing U.S. identity, despite lacking authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has approved only a limited number of vaping products for sale.

    According to the report, trademark filings show some of these brands are tied to Chinese or Hong Kong interests, suggesting the marketing shift may be aimed at avoiding scrutiny from customs officials amid heightened trade tensions and regulatory pressure under the administration of Donald Trump. Analysts cited by Reuters say the tactic could slow efforts to push consumers from the illicit to the regulated vape market.

    The story also highlights that China remains the dominant supplier of vapes to the U.S., with trade data showing exports worth over $4 billion in 2025, even as companies experiment with partial U.S. production or American-themed branding to adapt to tariffs, enforcement actions, and changing consumer perceptions.

  • Russian Police Seize $1.6M in Illicit Vapes

    Russian Police Seize $1.6M in Illicit Vapes

    Russian police in the Tambov region seized more than 150,000 e-cigarettes, along with cartridges and liquids worth about 126.5 million rubles ($1.6 million). Authorities said the products were shipped from Moscow disguised as small household appliances and supported by fake documents. Testing found nicotine levels significantly higher than stated on the packaging. A man has been detained, and a criminal case has been opened for the storage and sale of unmarked e-cigarettes.

  • NZ Faces Rising Illicit Tobacco Trade

    NZ Faces Rising Illicit Tobacco Trade

    More than one in four cigarettes consumed in New Zealand came from the illicit market last year, according to a new independent report commissioned by Imperial Brands and BAT New Zealand. The study found that 27% of total tobacco consumption was illegal, up from 23.6% the previous year, resulting in lost excise revenue estimated at over NZ$600 million ($348 million). The rise is largely driven by a 41.9% increase in smuggled, contraband cigarettes.

    Industry representatives warned that without decisive intervention, New Zealand risks facing the same challenges seen in Australia, where delayed responses allowed illicit trade to flourish post-COVID. “The report shows New Zealand’s illicit tobacco trade continues to escalate,” said an Imperial Brands spokesperson. “It would be a mistake to assume the violence and criminal networks associated with an uncontrolled illicit market couldn’t happen here.”

    BAT New Zealand echoed the call for immediate action, highlighting the importance of proactive measures. “Australia presents a cautionary tale of how quickly illicit tobacco can take hold,” a BATNZ spokesperson said. “New Zealand has the opportunity to act now to prevent the exponential growth of illegal tobacco and protect both public health and government revenue.”

    Read the full report here.

  • Modernization and Enforcement Needed for Pakistan’s Illicit Crisis

    Modernization and Enforcement Needed for Pakistan’s Illicit Crisis

    Pakistan’s tobacco industry is facing mounting pressure as illicit cigarettes tighten their grip on the market, eroding government revenue and undermining the legitimate sector, according to experts. Macroeconomic analyst Osama Siddiqui said the country needs a robust track-and-trace system and stronger coordination among enforcement and revenue authorities to monitor production, distribution, and retail.

    “Without a decisive crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade, Pakistan’s legal industry will continue to suffer while the black market thrives unchecked,” Siddiqui said. “A modernized supply chain and sustained enforcement are the only ways to reclaim lost revenue and restore market fairness.”

    Recent estimates indicate that illicit cigarettes now make up more than half of total sales, costing the national exchequer over Rs 415 billion ($1.5 billion) annually. The smuggled, untaxed, and/or products sold below the legal minimum price continue to weaken the formal industry’s competitiveness while fueling organized black-market networks, experts say.