Counterfeit tobacco worth nearly 3 million UAH: a shadow distribution channel was blocked in the capital

 An illegal distribution channel of non-excise smoking systems, liquids, and tobacco products was liquidated in the capital. Detectives of the TO of the ESBU in the Kyiv region seized over 3 thousand smoking systems, a cargo vehicle, and cash. The total estimated value of the seized goods, computer equipment, and transport reaches 3 million UAH.

The organizers of the illegal business carried out activities for the sale of excisable products of doubtful origin without proper labeling and without the payment of taxes to the state budget. The goods were distributed through specialized retail outlets and remote communication channels.

During the investigative actions, Bureau detectives seized significant volumes of counterfeit products prepared for sale, namely over 3 thousand modern devices for vaporization, as well as hundreds of packs of hookah tobacco.

In addition, ESBU detectives seized computer equipment, mobile phones, and financial and economic documentation confirming the scale of the transactions, as well as a vehicle.

The estimated value of the seized items is 3 million UAH.

The pretrial investigation is ongoing under Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal storage, sale, or transportation for the purpose of sale of excisable goods).

The full circle of persons involved in the illegal activity, as well as the origin of the counterfeit products, is being established.

Operational support was carried out by detectives of strategic protection of the economy of the TO of the ESBU in the Kyiv region and employees of the "Kyiv" Separate Checkpoint of the State Border Guard Service. Procedural guidance is carried out by prosecutors of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent of committing a crime until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court verdict.

The ESBU continues to systematically clean the market of counterfeit products, protecting the economic interests of the state and legal businesses.