State-Owned Chinese Tobacco Company Accused of Global Expansion through Illicit Means

China: CNTC, the state-owned tobacco company of China and the largest producer of cigarettes and tobacco leaves globally, is reportedly expanding its reach through illicit activities.

Geopolitica.info has accused CNTC of working in collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to establish subsidiaries, tobacco farms, and retail markets worldwide.

The company's expansion strategy, which started through joint ventures with other multinational tobacco firms, has been criticized by several independent think tanks and governments as unethical and illegal.

CNTC is accused of smuggling tobacco to avoid international taxes and flooding international markets with illegal Chinese cigarette brands to increase its customer base.

The company's illegal activities, including the shipment of millions of illegal cigarette brands from its European factory to Ukraine, have been documented by multiple investigation reports.

A recent bust of smuggled tobacco products in Naples revealed a network of smugglers linked to organized crime working exclusively with CNTC.

The company's European branch, CTIEC, has also been accused of smuggling cigarettes into conflict zones including Libya, Syria, and Iraq.

In addition to its illegal smuggling activities, CNTC is also shifting its production overseas, with Brazil becoming a major supplier.

By doing so, CNTC aims to implement its Belt and Road Initiative Strategy and take over markets in Brazil, the second-largest tobacco producer in the world. The company's expansion plans extend beyond Latin America, reaching Africa as well.

Despite multiple allegations and scrutiny, CNTC continues to grow quickly. However, the company's bold attempts to smuggle its cigarette brands, expand production overseas, and flood international markets with illegal products raise serious ethical and legal questions.