Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Economic Security Bureau in Odesa region stopped the illegal activity of two businessmen who produced and sold alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.

The two men in Izmail and Tatarbunary stored the goods in garages at their places of residence. They sent alcohol under the guise of cognac and brandy to customers using one of the delivery services. The counterfeit alcohol and tobacco products could be purchased by ordering on the OLX or in a local store.

As a result of 7 searches the Territorial Department seized more than 1,300 litres of alcohol, pumps, hoses and filters used for bottling finished products, vodka in bottles of various sizes, almost 3,000 packs of cigarettes without excise stamps, empty containers of 1,000 and 200 litres each. The detectives also seized the proceeds of the illegal activity. The estimated value of the seized goods is UAH 1.4 million.

Samples of finished alcohol and tobacco products were taken for expert examination. The investigation is ongoing the full range of persons involved in the illegal activity is being established.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings on the grounds of a criminal offence stipulated by Part 1 Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, sale or transportation for sale of excisable goods) is being conducted by detectives of the Territorial Department of the ESBU in Odesa region with the operational support of the representatives of the Ward of the Southern Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the procedural guidance of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.