Vinnytsia region uncovers ₴20 million worth of clandestine production of e-cigarette liquids
Law enforcement officers in Vinnytsia region have exposed a group of people who have set up illegal production of e-cigarette liquids and nicotine mixtures. The estimated value of the seized products and equipment exceeds UAH 20 million, according to the National Police of Ukraine.
The operation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department operatives jointly with the ESBU detectives. To document the activities of the suspects, law enforcement officers conducted about 20 searches at the places of manufacture, storage, sale of products and residence of the scheme participants.
The investigation established that the dealers without licences produced e-liquids for e-cigarettes under their own brand. The goods were sold in wholesale batches to order and delivered to customers in different regions of Ukraine.
During the searches, law enforcement officers seized more than 25,000 self-mixing kits, more than 120,000 containers with glycerin, nicotine and flavourings, as well as raw materials, including about 800 litres of glycerin and more than 550 litres of flavourings. Law enforcement officers also found hundreds of boxes with containers, labels and packaging materials.
The premises had a full-fledged production line. It allowed to automatically pack liquids, label products and produce up to two thousand kits daily. In addition, documentation, computer equipment, mobile phones, promotional materials, more than UAH 1.5 million in cash in various currencies and a car used to transport the illegal goods were seized.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under the articles on illegal manufacture and sale of excisable goods and legalisation of proceeds of crime.
