Georgia cracks down on illegal tobacco trade with mass seizures in 2026
Georgian authorities have cracked down on illegal tobacco trade after uncovering a series of violations in early 2026. The Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance found 16 cases of excise tax evasion involving large quantities of unstamped cigarettes. The operation follows years of enforcement, with hundreds of businesses and individuals already prosecuted for similar offences since 2021.
In January 2026, officials seized 18,185 boxes of cigarettes stored, transported, or sold without proper excise stamps. The total market value of the confiscated goods exceeded GEL 117,780. Investigators acted under Article 200 of Georgia's Criminal Code, which carries penalties of four to six years in prison for such violations.
Eighteen people now face charges in connection with the illegal distribution. Eight of them were detained during the operation. The cases were primarily handled by the Financial Police in Tiflis and Batumi, the same units responsible for previous crackdowns.
Over the past five years, authorities have investigated around 150 companies and 320 individuals for tax-related offences in the tobacco sector. Of these, roughly 90 businesses and 210 people received convictions, reflecting an ongoing effort to curb illicit trade in excisable goods.
The latest seizures bring the total number of prosecutions under tax evasion laws to over 300 since 2021. With penalties including lengthy prison terms, the government continues to target illegal tobacco distribution. The confiscations in January 2026 mark another step in enforcing compliance with excise regulations.
