SBU prevented large-scale scheme of illegal transfer of counterfeit tobacco products to EU countries.

According to preliminary investigation, the group members established a mechanism for illegal production of excisable products. Finished goods involved persons planned to illegally transport abroad for sale on the territory of European countries.

Law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle of the group members in Volyn region. During the inspection of a car, the SBU officers found 500 000 packs of counterfeit cigarettes valued at UAH 15 million. The involved persons tried illegally transfer detected products through the state border.

The investigative actions on establishing all circumstances of the committed offence and bringing to responsibility people involved in the illegal activity are under way. The detection operation was conducted by the SBU Main Investigation Directorate investigators with the SBU Main Department for Fighting Corruption and Organized Crime officers under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor’s General Office.