More than 319,000 packets of unmarked cigarettes worth 293 million tenge were seized during an investigation in the Zhambyl Region. According to the investigation, the products were illegally imported from Kyrgyzstan and distributed across several regions of Kazakhstan.
WHAT IS KNOWN
The Department of the Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM) for the Zhambyl Region, coordinated by the prosecutor's office, has stopped the activities of a transnational organised group which, according to the investigation, was engaged in the illegal import and sale of unmarked tobacco products on the territory of Kazakhstan.
The investigation believes that a resident of the Zhambyl Region organised a channel for supplying cigarettes from Kyrgyzstan with subsequent sale through a network of controlled individuals.
Unmarked tobacco products were sold through retail outlets in Taraz. Deliveries were also made to Almaty, Shymkent, Karaganda Region, Aktobe Region, Turkistan Region and East Kazakhstan Region (EKR).
WHAT WAS SEIZED DURING INVESTIGATIVE ACTIONS
As part of the investigation, more than 30 searches were conducted. Over 319,000 packets of unmarked tobacco products with a total value of 293 million tenge were seized from illegal circulation. According to the investigation, the amount of unpaid excise duties was 115 million tenge.
It was also reported that the transnational organised group included citizens of Kyrgyzstan who, according to the investigation, ensured supplies and mutual settlements.
WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN
According to the AFM, to conceal financial flows, the scheme's participants used the informal “Hawala” system, which allows transfers to be made without being recorded in the banking system.
By court order, 3 vehicles used for transporting the products were seized. Five suspects are in custody.
The investigation is ongoing. Other information is not disclosed in accordance with Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
WHAT FBRK PREVIOUSLY FOUND OUT ABOUT TOBACCO SMUGGLING
FBRK previously published a series of investigations into the illegal tobacco market in Kazakhstan. In two editions, the editorial team discussed the scale of the grey market, which is estimated to account for up to 20% of cigarette sales, as well as the supply routes for smuggled products, including the Kyrgyz route.
A separate edition was dedicated to the case of Sergei Buri, a subject of the investigation into an alleged transnational tobacco smuggling scheme extradited from Russia. Details are on the FBRK YouTube channel:
