The Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Chernivtsi region shut down an underground workshop for the production of counterfeit cigarettes
Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region have completed the pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings regarding the illegal manufacture and sale of excisable goods. The case materials have been forwarded to the court.
The investigation established that a resident of the Kyiv region organized a full cycle of illegal cigarette production without excise tax stamps in his own home.
The perpetrator grew and dried tobacco on his homestead plot. He then used this raw material and specialized equipment to manufacture the cigarettes. To set up production, the man purchased the necessary components—cigarette tubes, labels, and packaging materials. The entire process, from cutting the tobacco and filling the tubes to packaging the finished packs, took place directly at his place of residence. The goods were sold by mail throughout the country, including in the Chernivtsi region.
During the sanctioned searches, detectives seized equipment for cutting tobacco, devices for filling cigarette tubes, and packaging packs. A significant amount of raw materials and components was also seized: tobacco, cigarette tubes, and printed materials for packaging the goods.
Expert examinations confirmed that the samples of the seized tobacco products do not meet the state's quality standards.
The case materials, along with the indictment, have now been sent to court on the grounds of criminal offenses provided for by Part 1 and Part 2 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacturing, storage, and sale of excisable goods).
Operational support was provided by employees of the 27th Border Guard Detachment and the Department of Internal Security of the Border Control Department of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Procedural guidance was carried out by prosecutors of the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office.
