ESBU has referred a case of illegal sale of cigarettes without excise duty stamps to court

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Odesa region have completed a pre-trial investigation into a 62-year-old Armenian native who organized the sale of illegally manufactured tobacco products.

The investigation established that since the beginning of the year, the suspect had been illegally reselling cigarettes at inflated prices without the required permits or licenses for trading in excise goods. He accepted orders via Telegram channels and shipped them by mail across Ukraine. The goods were stored in containers at Odesa's "Pivdennyi" market and in a garage cooperative in the Kyivskyi district of Odesa.

During searches of the suspect's residence and storage sites, ESBU detectives seized over 27,000 packs of tobacco products. The seized goods, valued at more than UAH 3.8 million, have been placed under arrest.

"Cigarettes without excise stamps represent direct losses to the budget and support for shadow schemes. We systematically stop such deals and will continue to respond strictly to any violations. Since the beginning of 2025, excise goods worth nearly UAH 200 million have been seized from illegal circulation," stated Serhii Muntian, Head of the ESBU Territorial Office in the Odesa region.

The individual has been notified of suspicion under Part 1 of Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, sale, or transportation for sale of excise goods). The indictment has been sent to court.

The article provides for a fine ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens, along with the confiscation and destruction of the illegally manufactured goods.

Operational support was provided by the Maritime Guard of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Prosecutorial oversight was conducted by the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.