The SBU systematically counteract illegal sale of excisable goods. Recently, SBU officers blocked the sale of counterfeit alcohol in Kyiv, Odesa and Vinnytsia regions, as well as exposed the smuggling of foreign tobacco. Monthly profit amounted to almost UAH 5 m. (USD 178,571).

In Kyiv and Odesa regions, SBU cyber specialists "tracked" the smuggling of wholesale batches of cigarettes to Ukraine. The dealers sold illegally obtained goods via a network of anonymous web-resources. According to intelligence, they sold tobacco products for over USD 50,000 every month.

According to preliminary investigation, the illegal activity was organized by two residents of the Ovidiopol district in Odesa region. They sold goods to customers on specially created Internet platforms. The offenders used postal services to send goods to customers.

Investigative actions are underway. The exact amount of state losses is being estimated.

In Odesa region, the SBU served a suspicion notice to the organizer of a large-scale underground production and sale of low-quality alcohol. The monthly turnover amounted to UAH 3 m. (USD 107,142).

According to the investigation, resident of Rozdilnyanskyi district organized the illegal business. The offenders arranged underground shops on the territory of their own households. They sold the ready products under the guise of well-known brands via affiliated freight outlets and public catering in the region.

In Vinnytsia region, the SBU prevented illegal sale of almost 5 tons of counterfeit alcohol to the retail network.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers found and seized counterfeit goods from the truck of a private postal operator, as well as from a warehouse, located in a regional border village.

Investigative actions are underway to bring to justice those involved in the illegal activities. The sources of origin of raw materials and places of underground production are being established.