The ESBU completes an investigation into the smuggling of over 1,000 packs of counterfeit cigarettes hidden in a trailer for export

 A resident of the Lviv region has been prosecuted for the illegal circulation of excise goods. He attempted to smuggle over 1,000 packs of cigarettes without excise tax stamps abroad by hiding them in a trailer. The pre-trial investigation was completed by detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Lviv region.

The investigation established that the man was not registered as a business entity and did not hold the relevant license for the tobacco trade. Despite this, he purchased cigarettes without excise tax stamps from unidentified persons for further sale.

To illegally move the tobacco products across the state border and evade customs control, the individual concealed the cigarettes in the semi-trailer of a truck.

During investigative actions and inspection of the vehicle, ESBU detectives discovered the hidden tobacco products and seized the entire batch of cigarettes without excise stamps.

Based on the collected evidence, the Lviv region resident was notified of suspicion under Part 1 of Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal acquisition, storage, and transport for the purpose of sale, as well as the sale of excise goods).

The pre-trial investigation has now been completed. The indictment has been sent to court for consideration on its merits.

Procedural guidance in the criminal proceedings was provided by prosecutors of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office.