Lithuanian authorities shut down a large-scale counterfeit nicotine pouch factory in Kaunas after intelligence from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) identified illegal manufacturing operations. The August 7 raid seized more than 330,000 boxes of fake pouches bearing trademarks of well-known brands, along with raw materials including nicotine classified as an acutely toxic substance.

The factory was fully operational and sophisticated — running complete manufacturing, packaging, and labeling lines to produce counterfeit products. Authorities found 30 different types of nicotine pouches across various flavors and nicotine strengths, plus significant quantities of finished but unlabeled pouches and bulk raw materials.

Where the products were headed

The illegal operation supplied markets in Scandinavia, the Baltic states, and the United Arab Emirates. These are core nicotine pouch markets — Scandinavia in particular has some of the highest per-capita pouch use globally, making it a lucrative target for counterfeiters.

The operation began when OLAF identified signs of illegal manufacturing and shared its findings with the Lithuanian Customs Criminal Service (MKT), which executed the raid.

Why counterfeit pouches are a safety issue

Counterfeit nicotine pouches are produced entirely outside regulated supply chains. That means no quality control, no safety testing, and no oversight of nicotine content — which can be acutely toxic in concentrated form. The seized nicotine was classified as an acutely toxic substance posing significant health risks.

"When counterfeiters copy well-known brands, they are not only stealing their name but also taking advantage of consumers' trust," said OLAF Director-General Petr Klement. "Illicit nicotine products can reach people without the safety checks that apply to legitimate products."

This is the first major EU-level enforcement action targeting counterfeit nicotine pouch production. The scale of the operation — 330,000 boxes across 30 product variants — suggests a well-funded, organized network capable of mimicking legitimate brand packaging and distribution.

What's next

Lithuanian authorities are investigating the factory's operators and distribution network. OLAF's involvement signals that European enforcement agencies are treating counterfeit nicotine pouches as a priority — both for intellectual property protection and consumer safety.

The raid comes as the nicotine pouch market continues rapid growth across Europe, creating incentives for illicit manufacturers to exploit brand recognition and undercut legitimate products on price.

---

SOURCES:
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) — https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu/media-corner/news/olaf-helps-dismantle-major-counterfeit-nicotine-pouch-factory-lithuania-2026-08-07_en

---

Where to buy: Avoid counterfeit products — compare verified nicotine pouch prices across licensed retailers at PouchFinder.