In the Vinnytsia region, ESBU detectives have sent a case to court regarding the illegal trafficking of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages

 During the last week of March, detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Vinnytsia region notified suspects of suspicion and sent four criminal cases to court regarding the storage and sale of excisable goods.

Specifically, a garage located within a garage construction cooperative was discovered to be used for storing large batches of counterfeit cigarettes, prepared for further sale.

The investigation documented instances of systematic tobacco product sales (under the guise of official brands as well as simply packaged in zip-lock bags) at a market in one of the region's districts.

An attempt to transport adulterated alcoholic products for further distribution through illegal channels was also thwarted.

During the investigative actions, a total of nearly 26,000 packs of cigarettes were seized, along with alcoholic beverages packaged in 10-liter Tetra Paks.

Four individuals were notified of suspicion of committing criminal offenses under Part 1 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal acquisition for the purpose of sale and storage for this purpose of illegally manufactured excisable goods, and in certain cases—the sale of such goods).

The indictments have been sent to court.

Procedural oversight in the proceedings is conducted by the Vinnytsia Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven through legal procedures and established by a court verdict.