Underground business with 100 million tenge in revenue uncovered in Ekibastuz

Tengrinews.kz - Officers from the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) department in the Pavlodar region have identified and shut down a group involved in the illegal distribution of vapes, flavorings, and vape liquids in Ekibastuz.

“The sale of the banned products was carried out through a Telegram channel, followed by courier delivery,” the statement said.

More than 5,600 vapes and related components were seized. The revenue from their sale could have exceeded 100 million tenge. Investigators also discovered a storage facility and distribution points.
The report highlights that the products were being actively marketed to minors, including schoolchildren. The organizers of the illegal business were knowingly supplying e-cigarettes to teenagers, putting their health at risk.
The investigation is ongoing, and further information has not been disclosed.
The FMA also reminded the public that since the beginning of the year, it has identified 32 cases of illegal vape distribution and confiscated and destroyed more than 440,000 units of such products.
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