Detectives of the Territorial Department of the ESBU in Chernivtsi region have started criminal proceedings regarding the attempt to export to Romania more than 100,000 packs of cigarettes hidden in a tanker truck.

When attempting to cross the border at the Porubne-Siret checkpoint customs officials discovered specially equipped hiding places in the shell of a tank with sunflower oil. After the inspection, more than 100,000 packs of cigarettes without Ukrainian excise tax stamps were seized.

The estimated value of illegally manufactured tobacco products is UAH 7.5 million.

According to preliminary information, the cigarettes were planned to be delivered to Great Britain. Currently, the detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine are establishing the circumstances of the manufacture, acquisition and logistical routes of the movement of cars with hidden cigarettes. The investigation under Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, sale or transportation for the purpose of sale of excise goods). Procedural management is carried out by the Chernivtsi regional prosecutor's office.

We will remind that recently the detectives of the ESBU in the Lviv region completed an investigation into the illegal production of tobacco products. More details https://esbu.gov.ua/en/news/esbu-detectives-completed-the-investigation-into-the-illegal-production-of-tobacco-products