In the Kyiv region, ESBU detectives blocked a scheme for the illegal sale of tobacco products

 In the Kyiv region, ESBU detectives exposed a scheme for selling counterfeit tobacco products through a network of specialized websites, messengers, and postal shipments. During investigative actions, over 16 thousand packs of excise-free cigarettes worth more than UAH 1.6 million were seized.

The investigation established that the underground business was organized by a group of persons who set up wholesale purchases of counterfeit goods without excise tax stamps. To find customers and sell the products, the suspects created a network of specialized internet websites and channels in popular messengers.

Sales were carried out throughout the territory of Ukraine, and orders were sent via a well-known postal operator. The perpetrators transported large batches of products using their own vehicles.

During investigative actions in the Kyiv region, ESBU detectives seized over 16 thousand packs of tobacco products without excise tax stamps from illegal circulation. A minibus involved in transporting the counterfeit products was also seized.

The pretrial investigation is ongoing under Part 2 of Article 28, and Part 1 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal purchase, storage, transportation, and sale of exciseable goods committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons). Currently, Bureau detectives are conducting a complex of necessary investigative actions to establish raw material supply channels and all participants in the illegal business.

Procedural guidance is provided by prosecutors of the Kyiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office.