Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed a group of people who organized a scheme of illegal importation of counterfeit tobacco products into the territory of Ukraine and their sale in Odesa region.

E-cigarettes, e-liquids, hookah tobacco were sold throughout Ukraine including in Odesa city. The sales took place through a chain of stores without permits.

The detectives of the ESBU conducted more than 10 searches simultaneously at the places of sale of illegally manufactured excisable goods.

As a result of the searches almost 8 thousand pieces of counterfeit tobacco products were found and seized some without excise stamps and some with stamps with signs of counterfeiting about 3 thousand pieces of e-cigarette filling liquids, 9 thousand pieces of hookah tobacco. The estimated value of the seized excisable goods is UAH 9 million.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, the full range of persons involved in the illegal activity is being established.

Procedural guidance is provided by prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's Office.