In September 2023, the Prime Minister of Ukraine gave instructions to intensify the fight against the illegal circulation of excise goods, that is, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, etc.

During 5 months of work, law enforcement agencies informed almost 200 persons of suspicion as part of the investigation of criminal proceedings.

Detectives and investigators seized more than 11 million packs of cigarettes, almost 440,000 electronic devices, approximately 80 tons of tobacco, and more than one million tons of alcohol and counterfeit alcoholic beverages.

An interdepartmental working group was created to fulfill the mandate. It included the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, the State Tax Service, the State Customs Service, the State Audit Service, and other law enforcement agencies. The ESBU coordinates the work of the group.

At the same time, the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine initiated 208 criminal proceedings in the field of illegal circulation of excise goods.

In turn, the State Tax Service of Ukraine inspected more than 10,000 places of activity with valid licenses and drew up 2,600 protocols on administrative offenses. Tax officials canceled 2,100 licenses for illegal trade.

It will be recalled that earlier the General Director of "Ukrtiutiun" Nataliya Fesyun noted that the Association generally supports the legislative proposals of the Economic Security Bureau on combating the illegal circulation of cigarettes and believes that their implementation can positively affect the reduction of the shadow segment.