Cigarettes for the EU hidden in minivans: Two smuggling suspects to face trial in Bukovyna

 Another attempt by two residents of Bukovyna to profit from shadow tobacco ended with the seizure of goods and the transfer of cases to court. The suspects were exposed for the illicit circulation of excise goods.

The pretrial investigation in the criminal proceedings was conducted by detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region. The indictments have been sent to court.

The investigation established that two residents of the border area purchased cigarettes without excise tax stamps at the “Kalynivskyi Market” in Chernivtsi.

The dealers planned to smuggle the goods across the border into Romania, counting on a profitable resale of the illegal tobacco within the EU. However, during customs clearance at the “Diakivtsi-Rakovets” checkpoint, hidden batches of cigarettes were discovered and seized in two “Mercedes-Benz Sprinter” minivans.

Expert analysis confirmed that the products did not meet quality standards.

The suspects were served with notices of suspicion for committing an offense under Part 1 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal acquisition, storage, and transportation of illegally manufactured tobacco products for the purpose of sale).

The procedural oversight was provided by the Chernivtsi Oblast Prosecutor's Office.

It is worth noting that, according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court's verdict of guilty.

The fight against the shadow market of excise goods in Bukovyna continues. In total, from January to April 2026, detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in Bukovyna seized excise goods worth over UAH 60 million from illicit circulation.