Underground workshops and tons of counterfeit goods: ESBU shuts down large-scale fake coffee production in the Kyiv region

 A large-scale underground production of counterfeit coffee of famous global brands has been exposed in the Kyiv region. During 22 searches, ESBU detectives seized property with an estimated value of nearly 20 million UAH.

The suspects organized a full cycle of manufacturing counterfeit products and sold them through online stores, marketplaces, and coffee shops across Ukraine.

The illegal activity of the organized group was stopped by detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Kyiv region, together with operatives of the Cyberpolice Department.

The investigation established that the group members set up underground workshops on warehouse premises, where they roasted, packaged, and packed coffee under the logos of international brands. The scheme also involved individuals who registered fictitious business activities to accept payments.

Previously, the suspects officially cooperated with the trademark owner; however, after the contract ended in 2021, they continued to illegally use the well-known brand.

The counterfeit products did not undergo any quality control and could pose a health hazard to consumers. The fake goods were advertised on social networks and messengers, and orders were sent via postal services.

During 22 searches, ESBU (Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine) detectives seized production equipment, printing materials, thousands of packages of finished products, and raw materials, as well as vehicles, cash, and documentation.

The estimated value of the seized property is nearly UAH 20 million.

"Counterfeiting is a shadow market that causes losses to the state, hits legal businesses, and poses a threat to consumers. The organizers of such schemes operate outside the law, evade taxes, and deliberately ignore any quality standards. The task of the ESBU is to systematically detect and eliminate illegal production facilities that undermine the country's economic security," emphasized Vitaliy Perunin, Head of the ESBU Territorial Department in the Kyiv region.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under Part 3 of Article 229 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal use of a trademark for goods and services, which caused material damage on an especially large scale). The full circle of persons involved in the illegal activity is currently being established.

Operational support was provided by employees of the Cyberpolice Department of the National Police of Ukraine. Prosecution guidance was provided by prosecutors of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.