In central Gruzia, police stopped two trucks carrying a large batch of counterfeit cigarettes. The operation took place in the Shida Kartli region, near the Novosti Gruzia checkpoint, where transportation of tobacco products without proper authorization was detected. Law enforcement officers seized over 56 thousand packs of cigarettes, valued at approximately $21,300. The seized cigarettes belonged to the M1 brand, produced by the Matuco Group, based in the United Arab Emirates. The case is being investigated under the article concerning the re-export and trafficking of tobacco products without proper authorization (Article 200, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Gruzia). The police have announced that the investigation is ongoing and further details will be disclosed in due course.