Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed a group of people who organised the sale of counterfeit tobacco products. Goods worth over UAH 5 million were seized from illicit trafficking.

In the course of the pre-trial investigation the detectives of the ESBU identified the persons who organised the purchase and storage of counterfeit electronic cigarettes and hookah tobacco without excise stamps in Kyiv. Subsequently the excisable products were sold on the territory of Ukraine, including in Kyiv and via the Internet.

The sale of excisable goods was carried out without proper reflection in the tax reports. Such actions resulted in the non-payment of excise tax in particularly large amounts.

As a result of searches in warehouses and retail premises the detectives of the ESBUfound and seized more than 2,500 electronic cigarettes and 1,600 kg of hookah tobacco without excise stamps worth over UAH 5 million.

The pre-trial investigation under Part 3 Art. 212, Part 1 Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is being conducted by detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine. Procedural supervision is provided by prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's Office.