Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Economic Security Bureau in Kyiv region exposed and stopped the criminal activity of a group of people who organised a large-scale scheme for the sale of counterfeit tobacco products.

The investigation established that three residents of Makariv set up a shadow scheme to supply electronic tobacco products from abroad. The counterfeit products were then distributed in bulk throughout Ukraine via social media and postal operators.

The goods were also sold in Kyiv region through retail outlets in Borodyanka, Makariv and Bilohorodka.

Detectives of the ESBU conducted searches at the offenders' offices, residences and points of sale. As a result the officers seized more than 4,000 e-cigarettes, almost 6,000 containers with smoking liquids, hookah tobacco and a car.

The estimated value of the seized items is over UAH 4 million.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The ways of supplying counterfeit products and the full range of persons involved in the illegal activity are being established.

Prosecutors of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office are providing procedural supervision.

As a reminder, the ESBU in Kyiv region recently stopped the sale of counterfeit tobacco products via a telegram channel.