Illegal vape circulation and laundering of 67 million UAH: ESBU refers case to the court

 Members of an organized group who set up the large-scale sale of illegal e-cigarette liquids in the Vinnytsia region and laundered millions in profits will stand trial. Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Vinnytsia region have completed the pre-trial investigation.

It was established that in July 2024, an entrepreneur created and led an organized criminal group, involving two more people, with the aim of making profits from the illegal sale of e-cigarette liquids.

The sale of the illegal goods was carried out through a network of shops in 38 retail outlets across Vinnytsia and the region.

The products were sold without a license. The containers lacked the mandatory labeling, health warnings, and did not meet DSTU requirements. According to the legislation, the sale of such goods is prohibited in Ukraine.

It was also established that during 2024–2025, the perpetrators laundered about 67 million UAH obtained from the vaping black market. To do this, the organizer used the details and bank accounts of controlled sole proprietors to which he had actual access.

The organizer and members of the group were notified of suspicion under part 5 of article 27, part 3 of article 28, part 1 of article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, and parts 2 and 3 of article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – illegal acquisition, storage, and sale of e-cigarette liquids committed by an organized group, as well as laundering and aiding in the laundering of property obtained through crime, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons on an especially large scale.

The criminal proceedings were referred to the court with indictments.

Operational support was provided by employees of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Vinnytsia region. Prosecutorial guidance was provided by the Vinnytsia 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.