The National Police’s Special Operations Department carried out a large-scale operation against the black market for vapes, seizing goods worth 170 million hryvnias.
The Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police of Ukraine has carried out a nationwide special operation targeting the illegal trade in e-cigarettes and e-liquids.
Investigations took place at manufacturing facilities, warehouses and retail outlets in almost every region of the country. In total, law enforcement officers carried out 272 searches.
According to the police, the illegal vape market has become a distinct segment of the black economy due to high demand for the products, their availability and the ability to evade excise duty.
Parliamentary committees and civil society organisations approached the National Police
The National Police were approached by the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Public Health, Medical Care and Medical Insurance, as well as anti-tobacco civil society organisations. The issue concerned the widespread illegal sale of banned flavoured liquids for e-cigarettes and the risks to public health.
The police stated that such products can cause damage to the lungs and the vascular system, as well as lead to rapid nicotine addiction, particularly among teenagers.
Law enforcement officials announced the dismantling of an organised group
Investigators identified the members of an organised group, described as monopolists of the black market.
According to the investigation, they organised the industrial production of counterfeit products in Kyiv and the Kyiv region. To do this, they used specialised equipment, chemical components, flavourings, nicotine benzoate, packaging and a logistics network.
Law enforcement officials claim that the suspects held a licence only for the production of e-liquids and declared the sale of so-called ‘strength enhancers’.
However, according to the investigation, ready-made nicotine-containing liquids in various flavours were in fact being manufactured and sold.
As part of the special operation, law enforcement officers seized:
- almost 970,000 units of flavourings, glycerine and nicotine,
- 1,147 disposable e-cigarettes,
- over 6,000 sets of e-cigarette liquids,
- 1,910 units of tobacco for hookahs without excise stamps,
- 1,590 litres of glycerine, nicotine-containing liquid, flavourings and propylene glycol,
- over 343,000 items of printed matter,
- almost 2 million hryvnias,
- 157 mobile phones and laptops,
- three automated production lines for the mass production and bottling of liquids,
- documentation and draft records.
According to the investigation, the total value of the seized property amounts to 170 million hryvnias.
Charges have already been brought in the case
Law enforcement officials have reported eight charges.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under Articles 199, 204 and 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The case is being investigated under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General and regional prosecutor’s offices.
The police noted that they are identifying all persons involved in the operation of the scheme for the illegal production and sale of excise goods.
Law enforcement officials also reminded the public that, in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and confirmed by a court conviction.
