SBU prevented illegal transfer of counterfeit cigarettes batches in Bukovyna region.

Six residents of the region organized the underground warehouses for storage of foreign counterfeit cigarettes in border village Selyatyn of Putylskyi district. They rented six private houses with outbuildings. Dealers planned to smuggle counterfeit goods to the EU country.

Law enforcement officers found ready for smuggling 34,500 cigarette packets without excise stamps during the urgent investigative actions. The cost of goods comprises almost UAH 800,000 (USD 32,700).

The issue of serving to involved persons notices of suspicion of committing crime under Part 1 Art. 199 and Part 1 Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is being settled.

Investigative actions are ongoing in order to establish other people involved in illegal activity.

Operation was conducted jointly with the State Border Guard Service and the State Fiscal Service under the legal supervision of Prosecutor’s Office of Chernivtsi region.