Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Economic Security Bureau in Odesa region stopped the operation of an illegal network selling excisable goods. During the operational and investigative actions in one of the stores, the saleswoman set fire to cigarettes to avoid confiscation of the goods.

In the course of 18 searches detectives seized cigarettes and cash totalling over UAH 5.2 million.

The investigation established that the cigarettes were supplied among other things from the warehouses previously detected by the Territorial Department. The tobacco products without excise stamps were sold in a network of local shops and kiosks in Odesa and neighbouring Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi and Chornomorsk.

Employees of the ESBU seized 55 thousand packs of tobacco products over 700 e-cigarettes, tobacco, almost 500 packs of IQOS sticks and funds received from illegal activities. The estimated value of the seized goods is over UAH 5.2 million.

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

The pre-trial investigation under Part 1 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 Odesa region. Procedural supervision is provided by the Odesa Region Prosecutor's Office.