In Ekibastuz, three local residents faced trial for running an illegal e-cigarette business, reports infohub.kz.
According to the criminal case, the organizer created a Telegram channel to take orders from clients in Ekibastuz and nearby settlements. He enlisted two acquaintances to handle delivery and storage of the vapes.
During searches, law enforcement seized over 3,100 electronic nicotine delivery systems worth more than 24.5 million tenge.
The financial turnover proved far larger: according to an expert's conclusion, 288.9 million tenge had been deposited into the organizer's bank accounts from product sales.
The Ekibastuz City Court found the organizer guilty and sentenced him to two years of restricted freedom with probation supervision. His two accomplices received 50 hours of community service each.
After the verdict took legal effect, all three convicts were registered with the probation service in Ekibastuz. Two were assigned to serve their community service sentences.