An illegal production of snuus, a smokeless tobacco product banned in Russia, was discovered on the territory of the Arsenal machine-building plant in St. Petersburg, which is part of the Roscosmos state corporation. This is reported by the Kommersant newspaper and the Baza Telegram channel.
During verification activities related to migration legislation, police found a snuus production laboratory located in one of the plant's buildings. During the searches, 65 bundles and packages with unknown substances, presumably containing snuus, were seized.
The plant's press service stated that as of November 20, no verification activities were carried out on the plant's territory, and foreign citizens do not work and cannot work at the enterprise. The plant emphasized that it continues its activities in full compliance with the law.
A representative of JSC "Machine-Building Plant "Arsenal" in an interview with RBC denied information about the operational activities related to the discovery of illegal snuus production. Oleg Nikiforov, the head of the legal department of the enterprise, stated that the plant has nothing to do with the events described in the media.
We believe that the message is aimed at discrediting the plant, damaging its business reputation, and drawing attention to the scandalously known media. We have sent an appeal to Roskomnadzor to block the dissemination of this information.
JSC "Machine-Building Plant "Arsenal" is an enterprise founded in 1711 by Peter I, located in the Kalininsky district of St. Petersburg. Currently, the plant is engaged in the production of spacecraft and technical equipment for ships, being part of the Roscosmos State Corporation.
Snuus (sucking tobacco) has been a prohibited product in Russia since 2015, when amendments were made to the legislation prohibiting its production and sale. This is due to the fact that snuus poses a health hazard, causing rapid nicotine addiction and other negative consequences for the body.
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