Part 4/10:
The black market’s growth has aroused concerns among authorities, who see the ongoing clandestine operations as a result of regulatory failures and weak penalties for those involved in illicit sales. Current laws are insufficiently equipped to deter the extensive network that supports this burgeoning market.
Tragedy and Consequences
The rise of illicit tobacco trade is not merely a matter of economics; innocent lives have already been lost in the chaos that follows organized crime gangs. One such incident claimed the life of 27-year-old Katie Tangy, caught in a firebombing attack that was not intended for her. Stories like hers underline the urgency of tackling the issue not just on a commercial level but also from a humanitarian perspective.