Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine seized from illicit trafficking almost 1.2 million packs of tobacco products with an estimated value of UAH 60 million, 300 thousand e-cigarettes with an estimated value of UAH 90 million, 200 thousand counterfeit excise tax stamps with signs of forgery for the first quarter of 2023. The priority of ESBU is to stop the illegal production of tobacco products. For this purpose, components for the illegal manufacture of tobacco products (labels, paper, film for packaging, etc.) and 4 lines (equipment) were seized. The equipment involved in the illegal manufacture of tobacco products with an approximate value of UAH 20 million was handed over to ARMA. Analysts of the ESBU also recommended the State service for special communications and information protection of Ukraine to block the activities of a number of sites for the illegal sale of tobacco products.

This was stated by a representative of the main detective unit of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine during the meeting of the "round table" organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (ACC) and the analytical company "Kantar Ukraine".

The problems of illegal trade in tobacco products as well as ensuring and promoting the implementation of effective countermeasures were discussed by the People's Deputies, representatives of the ESBU, SBI, SSU, STS, SMS the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, the general director of Kantar Ukraine, the director of the "Ukrtyutyun" association and others.

The participants of the meeting concluded that cases of spontaneous illegal trade in tobacco products, including in markets and through retail chains (shops, kiosks, mobile trade facilities) in violation of the order of conducting business activities, should be under the constant attention of the relevant law enforcement agencies. However, the focus should be primarily on manufacturers of illegal tobacco products. The event also featured the presentation of Kantar Ukraine's illicit trade market research as of February-April 2023.

In April of this year, detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed officials of a company that had set up an international channel for the supply of e-cigarettes from the Far East. Employees of the ESBU identified a group of persons who illegally moved smoking devices to the territory of Ukraine without the appropriate customs clearance. In this way, particularly large taxes and duties were not paid on the products. More details: https://esbu.gov.ua/en/news/esbu-uncovers-international-channel-for-supplying-e-cigarettes-from-the-far-east