ESBU has referred to court a case against a criminal group that illegally sold e-cigarettes in Odesa

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Odesa region have referred to court an indictment against two men who organized the sale of e-cigarettes and related liquids via the internet.

Since the beginning of the year, the accused purchased illegally manufactured goods online without documents or certificates of conformity. They then resold them through a specially created Telegram channel, informing customers about the product range and current prices. Orders were shipped by mail across Ukraine.

During searches at the storage sites for the illegal products, detectives seized 1,210 e-cigarettes, liquids, mobile and office equipment, and vehicles used to transport the excise goods. The total value of the seized items exceeds UAH 4.2 million.

To ensure compensation for the damages caused by the criminal offense, the court has placed an arrest on the seized goods and property.

ESBU detectives served the suspects with notices of suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 28 (commission of a crime by a group of persons) and Part 1 of Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal acquisition for the purpose of sale, storage for this purpose, sale, and transportation for the purpose of sale of illegally manufactured excise goods). The article's sanction provides for a fine along with the confiscation and destruction of the illegally manufactured goods. The case has been referred to court.

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