ESBU in Bukovyna sends a case of UAH 30 million illegal tobacco business to the court

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region have completed a pre-trial investigation regarding a farm owner who organized the illegal cultivation, processing, and sale of fermented tobacco. The criminal proceedings have been referred to court.

The investigation established that the suspect set up clandestine production facilities equipped for cleaning, sorting, pressing, and fermenting tobacco leaves. Container dryers were also located on the warehouse grounds. Following the full processing cycle, the tobacco raw materials were packed and sold throughout Ukraine for the subsequent manufacture of counterfeit tobacco products.

During six searches, detectives seized approximately 25 tons of raw tobacco materials, 12 drying containers, specialized equipment, as well as cash, mobile phones, and "shadow" accounting records. The estimated value of the seized assets exceeds UAH 30 million.

The entrepreneur has been notified of suspicion under Part 1 and Part 2 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, or sale of excise goods).

The criminal case has been referred to court.

Operational support was provided by officers of the operational-search unit of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Procedural oversight was conducted by prosecutors of the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office.