Illegal cigarette sales and money laundering: ESBU dismantled an excisable goods sales scheme in Odesa

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Odesa region have completed a pre-trial investigation into two Odesa residents who organized the illegal sale of excisable goods within the city. The indictment has been referred to the court.

During the pre-trial investigation, detectives established that one of the suspects was registered as an individual entrepreneur in the retail trade of food, beverages, and tobacco products. For two years, he and an accomplice purchased illegally manufactured cigarettes and sold them through retail stores in Odesa.

To achieve this, they sought out employees and offered them jobs as salesclerks. These individuals were unaware of the illegal nature of the activity and sold tobacco products to the public for both cash and non-cash payments.

During their period of illicit activity, the suspects received illegal profits from the sale of excisable goods, which they subsequently laundered. To this end, one of the suspects opened bank accounts where the proceeds from the illegal activities were deposited. The total amount of laundered funds reached UAH 3.3 million.

The men used the proceeds to rent premises, purchase goods, and for their personal needs.

During the searches, ESBU detectives discovered over 24,000 packs of tobacco products, as well as electronic cigarettes, documents, and rough records. The seized goods, valued at UAH 3 million, have been placed under arrest.

The men have been notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 28 (commission of a crime by a group of persons), Part 1 of Article 204 (illegal manufacture, storage, sale, or transportation for the purpose of sale of excisable goods), and Part 1 of Article 209 (legalization of proceeds of crime) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The indictment has now been referred to the court.

The Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office is providing procedural oversight of the case.