Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Economic Security Bureau in Poltava region exposed a group of people who illegally sold alcohol and cigarettes in Poltava and Kharkiv regions.

The counterfeit was purchased in bulk and sold in small shops and kiosks, mostly for cash.

During searches of the warehouses where the products were stored, detectives seized more than 180,000 packs of cigarettes without excise stamps and about 37,000 litres of alcoholic beverages. The seized goods include vodka, wine, whiskey and champagne. The estimated value of the seized goods is over UAH 23 million.

The investigative actions are ongoing, the full range of persons involved is being established.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings on the grounds of a criminal offence stipulated by part 3 art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, sale or transportation for sale of excisable goods) is being conducted by detectives of the Territorial Department of the ESBU in Poltava region the procedural supervision is being carried out by the Poltava regional Prosecutor's Office and operational support is being provided by the Operational and Investigative Department of the Eastern regional directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.