ESBU in Zakarpattia uncovered an illegal tobacco production facility: over 8 tons of raw materials worth UAH 3.3 million seized

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Zakarpattia region, together with operatives from the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police, are conducting a pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings regarding the illegal production and circulation of excise goods.

More than 8 tons of tobacco, with a total value of UAH 3.3 million, have been seized. The investigation revealed that a group of individuals had organized a full cycle of illegal tobacco production, from cultivation to distribution.

Specifically, in the Zakarpattia region, the suspects grew tobacco on plots exceeding 25 hectares without the required licenses, followed by drying and fermentation. The raw materials were then transported to the Ivano-Frankivsk region, where they were shredded and prepared for sale in underground workshops.

The finished products were distributed via postal services, supplying them to other illegal tobacco manufacturers.

As part of the pre-trial investigation, law enforcement officers conducted authorized searches in the Zakarpattia and Ivano-Frankivsk regions—at the suspects' residences, in warehouses, vehicles, and on land plots.

Based on the results of the investigative actions, detectives seized over 8 tons of tobacco and raw tobacco, shredding and processing equipment, mobile phones, and other data storage devices that may contain evidence of illegal activity, as well as a vehicle used in the illicit scheme. The estimated value of the seized items exceeds UAH 3.3 million.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted under Part 1 of Article 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacturing, storage, or use of excise duty stamps) and Part 2 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacturing, storage, and sale of excise goods committed on a large scale).

Investigative actions are currently ongoing, and the issue of notifying the involved individuals of suspicion is being resolved. Procedural supervision is provided by the Zakarpattia Regional Prosecutor's Office.