Leader of the "Tobacco Mafia" Sentenced in Kazakhstan
Smuggling Disguised as Construction Materials
According to the court, between 2016 and 2018, an organized crime group illegally imported cigarettes and tobacco products from Iran to Kazakhstan under the guise of construction material shipments. The total value of the smuggled goods exceeded 1 billion tenge.
Arrest and Trial
The ringleader had been on the run and was placed on an international wanted list. After coordinated efforts by law enforcement, he was apprehended in Azerbaijan and extradited to Kazakhstan.
The Aktau City Court found him guilty of organizing and leading a criminal network and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
What’s Next?
The verdict has not yet come into force, meaning the convicted individual has the right to appeal. Meanwhile, Kazakh law enforcement continues its crackdown on tobacco smuggling, one of the most profitable illegal businesses in the region.
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