In Volyn region, the SBU blocked the channel of tobacco smuggling to the EU. In Odesa region, production and sale of counterfeit excisable products was exposed.

Regarding smuggling prevention:

In Volyn region, the law enforcement officers detained the offenders’ truck in an attempt to illegally smuggle 25,000 packs of foreign-made cigarettes without excise stamps. The cost of the goods found in the truck is almost UAH 1.5 m (USD 54,000).

Allegedly, the local smugglers tried to set up a scheme of transport of foreign-made cigarettes across the state border. The offenders received goods from their accomplices from neighboring post-Soviet countries.

The investigation is ongoing to bring to justice all those involved in illegal activities.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Main Directorate for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime jointly with the Department of the State Fiscal Service in Volyn Region with the assistance of the Lutsk Border Guard Detachment and the Investigation Department of the National Police in Volyn region, under supervision of Volyn Region Prosecutor’s Office.

On the Kyiv-Odesa highway, the law enforcement also exposed smuggled cigarettes worth over UAH 1 m (USD 30,000).

The cigarettes were hidden in a truck.

Regarding documenting the facts of production and sale of counterfeit excisable products:

Allegedly, several residents of Rozdilnyanskyi district set up an illegal scheme in Odesa region. The offenders made counterfeit alcohol and cigarettes for sale. The perpetrators set up underground workshops in their own residences.

The offenders sold finished goods under the guise of products of well-known brands via a retail chain.

Per month, the offenders produced counterfeit products worth almost UAH 3 m (USD 110,000).

During the searches of the underground workshops, the law enforcement officers seized a large number of canisters of alcohol-containing products, bottles, labels and “goods” prepared for sale. In addition, more than 15,000 packs of tobacco products without excise stamps were found.

The seized goods were submitted for examination.

The issue of serving the group members notices of suspicion of illegal manufacture, storage, sale or transportation for the purpose of sale of excisable goods is being settled.