Detectives of the Territorial Department ESBU in Kyiv and Kyiv region exposed a large-scale illegal scheme for the production and sale of hookah tobacco in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Products and equipment totaling UAH 17.4 million were seized from illegal circulation.

The investigation established a group of people who organized the mass production of hookah tobacco in Kryvyi Rih Dnipropetrovsk region. Illegal activities were carried out on the territory of warehouses without appropriate licenses. With the help of special equipment, individuals established a full cycle of production of tobacco products. Finished tobacco products were transported to Kyiv and Kyiv region where they were sold through retail stores exclusively for cash.

Detectives of the ESBU searched the place of economic activity and seized more than 2.6 tons of tobacco, accessories and equipment. The total estimated value of the seized is UAH 17.4 million.

Currently the full circle of persons involved in the criminal scheme is being established.

The pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings on the grounds of a criminal offense provided for in Part 2 of Art. 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud) and Part 1 of Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, sale or transportation for the purpose of sale of excise goods) is carried out by detectives of the Territorial Department ESBU in Kyiv and Kyiv region under the procedural guidance of prosecutors of the Kyiv city prosecutor's office.