Border guards in Kharkiv have uncovered three distribution channels for counterfeit cigarettes; the value of the seized goods amounts to 8.4 million hryvnias
Border guards from the 4th Detachment, in cooperation with law enforcement agencies, have concluded three criminal investigations into the illegal manufacture and sale of counterfeit tobacco products, as well as the laundering of proceeds of crime.
Under the procedural guidance of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the Novobavarska and Saltivska District Prosecutor’s Offices in Kharkiv carried out 10 authorised searches.
Investigative operations took place at the sites of manufacture and storage of counterfeit products, in vehicles, and at the residential addresses of individuals involved in the illegal activities.
As a result of the searches, law enforcement officers seized 27,625 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes, approximately 500 kilograms of tobacco, 285,000 cigarette tubes, 1,250 disposable POD systems, an electric cigarette-filling machine and over 2,000 units of packaging material.
Cash totalling US$31,800, €1,000 and 77,100 hryvnias, a Ford Edge and a Ford Focus, as well as rough notes, were also seized.
The total value of the seized products and property amounts to approximately 8.4 million hryvnias.
The physical evidence has been handed over to the relevant departments of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Kharkiv region. The seized goods will be sent for expert analysis in the near future.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine stated that it is continuing its work to combat the illegal circulation of excise goods and to expose schemes that cause losses to the state budget.
