ESBU in the Lviv region sent to court an indictment regarding the illegal circulation of cigarettes using drones

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Lviv region have referred an indictment to court against an organizer of an illegal tobacco circulation scheme. The suspect planned to transport cigarettes to the Republic of Poland using drones.

The investigation established that the resident of the Lviv region illegally purchased tobacco products without excise tax stamps. He stored them in a garage for the purpose of further sale in the Republic of Poland without the necessary permits or licenses.

To transport the cigarettes across the state border of Ukraine while bypassing customs control, the suspect planned to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

ESBU detectives disrupted the illegal activity during the preparation stage of the transfer. During an inspection of the area in the Yavoriv district, 2,880 packs of cigarettes without excise tax stamps and three drones were seized.

The individual's actions have been qualified under Part 1 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—illegal purchase, storage, and transportation for the purpose of selling illicitly manufactured excisable goods. The indictment has been referred to the court.

Procedural guidance is provided by the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office.