"Family contractor" in tobacco: in the Vinnytsia region, three relatives who manufactured and sold tobacco raw materials will stand trial

 Over a ton of tobacco and equipment were seized, and 300,000 UAH were transferred to help the AFU – such was the result of the illegal family business. Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Vinnytsia region completed the pretrial investigation and forwarded the proceedings to the court.

The pretrial investigation established that three persons – residents of Vinnytsia organized the manufacturing of tobacco raw materials in a utility building of their own household. The tobacco was shredded using a special device, a so-called "helicopter". They sold it through a retail outlet at the city market, as well as through a courier delivery service across Ukraine.

During the searches at the place of manufacturing, storage, and sale of the illegal products, 1.2 tons of tobacco raw materials, equipment, and containers for its packaging and storage were seized.

Three persons, in accordance with the illegal actions committed, were notified of suspicion of committing criminal offenses provided for by Part 1, 2 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – illegal acquisition, storage, and sale, as well as illegal manufacturing of exciseable goods – tobacco raw materials.

During the pretrial investigation, the suspects fully admitted their guilt. They voluntarily transferred 300,000 UAH in favor of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The criminal proceedings have been forwarded to court.

Operational support is carried out by employees of the Department of Strategic Investigations in the Vinnytsia region. Procedural guidance – Vinnytsia Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court verdict.