Illegal products worth UAH 13 million: cigarette and alcohol distribution scheme uncovered in the Lviv region

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Lviv region have uncovered a scheme involving the illegal circulation of excise goods without excise duty stamps. Products worth UAH 13 million were seized.

The investigation revealed that several individuals were involved in organizing the supply and distribution of cigarettes and alcohol through retail outlets in the Lviv region. The goods were stored in non-residential premises, from where they were delivered to shops for further sale.

During the searches, detectives discovered over 253,000 packs of cigarettes of various brands, as well as 233 cardboard containers filled with a liquid having a characteristic odor of alcohol, with a total volume of over 2,300 liters.

The estimated value of the seized products is approximately UAH 13 million.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted under Part 1 of Article 204 (illegal manufacture, storage, transportation, or sale of excise goods) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Procedural guidance is provided by prosecutors of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed 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's verdict of guilty.