The SBU exposed another excise goods smuggling scheme. The law enforcement seized from the smugglers hookah tobacco and electronic cigarettes worth over UAH 2 m. (USD 74.000).

The suspects planned to import products under the guise of international mail packages with personal items via Boryspil International Airport.

Allegedly, the criminal activity was set up by a group of smugglers. They planned to develop a mechanism for smuggling branded excise goods evading customs duty. The suspects received counterfeit products from their foreign accomplices.

During the searches at Boryspil International Airport, the SBU seized:

• over 2 tons of hookah tobacco;
• 1.3 tons of electronic cigarettes of different brands.

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the case and prosecute all those involved into the illegal activity.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Main Directorate for Fighting Corruption and Organized Crime jointly with the investigators of the SBU Main Directorate in Kyiv and Kyiv region under the supervision of the Prosecutor`s Office of Kyiv region and Kyiv Separate Checkpoint of State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.