In Transcarpathia region, the SBU prevented a large-scale smuggling of excisable tobacco products. During the searches, law enforcement seized almost 60,000 packs of contraband cigarettes worth circa UAH 2.5 m. (USD 89,300).

SBU officers received information that several local residents are going to smuggle tobacco products to the EU countries. The offenders planned to transport excisable products in the minibus of one of the accomplices. They stored goods in a warehouse.

During searches of the offenders’ residences and the warehouse, the SBU found packaging, stratch-wrap and other items that they used to prepare products for "shipment".

According to intelligence, the seized tobacco products were manufactured in Dnipropetrovsk region.

Within the criminal proceeding initiated for illegal manufacture, storage, sale or transportation for the purpose of sale of excisable goods, urgent investigative and operational actions are ongoing to bring to justice organizers of the illegal activity.

The issue of seizing the goods is being resolved.

The operation was carried out jointly with investigators of the Main SFS Department in Transcarpathia region under the supervision of the Transcarpathia Region Prosecutor's Office.