ESBU shuts down illegal e-liquid production in Vinnytsia region: over UAH 20 million in products and equipment seized

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Ecomonic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Vinnytsia region have exposed a group of individuals who organized the illegal production of nicotine-containing liquids and electronic cigarette products.

The goods, branded and falsely labeled as manufactured in Malaysia, were supplied throughout Ukraine. The suspects operated on a per-order basis, selling the products in wholesale batches.

As part of the pre-trial investigation, ESBU detectives, alongside police officers, conducted 17 searches at production, storage, and distribution sites, as well as the residences of those involved. They seized over 25,000 DIY mixing kits, more than 120,000 containers of glycerin, nicotine, and flavorings, and significant quantities of raw materials—approximately 800 liters of glycerin and over 550 liters of flavorings. Hundreds of boxes containing packaging materials, labels, and containers were also found.

In addition to the products, detectives seized a complete production line, including automated equipment for labeling, packaging, and marking, a machine for filling and sealing nicotine mixture ampoules, compressors, and filling machines. With such technical capacity, the underground facility could produce up to two thousand kits per day.

During the investigative actions, financial documents, equipment, mobile phones, advertising materials, and over 1.5 million UAH in national and foreign currencies were also seized. In addition, a vehicle used for transporting illegal products was seized.

The estimated value of the seized property and goods exceeds twenty million UAH.

"This is not just a seizure of liquids for electronic cigarettes from the retail network. We have stopped the activity of a manufacturer that occupied a significant market share in this segment and operated without a license. This is another blow by the ESBU to the shadow market of excisable products," noted the acting head of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Vinnytsia region, Oleh Oliinyk.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings is carried out under the elements of a criminal offense provided for in Parts 1, 2 of Art. 204 and Part 1 of Art. 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, or transportation for the purpose of sale of excisable goods; legalization of property obtained by crime).

Operational support is provided by employees of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Vinnytsia region. Procedural guidance is provided by the Vinnytsia Regional Prosecutor's Office.