SBU officers exposed and stopped sale of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes in Poltava region. The seized goods amounted to UAH 1,000,000 (USD 37,038).

Allegedly, several residents of Poltava region set up an illegal scheme for the sale of tobacco excise products. The attackers received cigarettes from other regions of Ukraine and from abroad. Additionally, bootleg goods were stored in various leased warehouses of the city. They sold "goods" in small wholesale batches through an extensive network of dealers in Poltava region.

During searches at places of storage of products, law enforcement officers seized cigarettes with signs of counterfeiting of well-known brands. The offenders marked on packs legal factories in Ukraine and several countries throughout the world.

All 162,000 packs of cigarettes with a total value of more than UAH 3,000,000 (USD 111,112) were confiscated as well.

Tobacco products are seized for commodity examination. Based on the results of the investigation, the suspects will be served a suspicion notice of committing the crime under Art.204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Investigative actions are ongoing.