Kazakhstan Busts Massive Illegal Snus Network Supplying Millions of Nicotine Doses

Police in Kazakhstan have dismantled a major illegal snus production network in the Turkestan region, exposing underground factories capable of supplying millions of nicotine doses across the country.

Investigators uncovered three clandestine production facilities spread across hundreds of square meters. The sites employed dozens of workers and allegedly distributed snus products nationwide through a wide-ranging illegal supply chain, The Caspian Post reported, citing Kazakh media.

During the operation, authorities seized more than one million ready-to-sell nicotine pouches along with nearly 30 tons of tobacco. Officials said the confiscated materials were sufficient to produce up to 60 million doses, underscoring the scale of the illicit enterprise.

Law enforcement agencies also confiscated vehicles purchased with profits from the illegal tobacco trade as part of efforts to dismantle the financial network supporting the operation.