The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Kyiv has seized counterfeit vapes and nicotine products worth over 12 million hryvnias
In Kyiv, law enforcement officers have uncovered a scheme involving the illegal distribution of counterfeit nicotine-containing products through a network of shops and kiosks. This was reported by the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police of Ukraine.
Operatives from the Strategic Investigations Department in Kyiv, in conjunction with detectives from the Economic Security Bureau, documented the sale of e-liquids, pod systems, cartridges, nicotine pouches, disposable e-cigarettes and tobacco for hookahs.
According to the investigation, controlled shell companies were used to conceal the activities, through which supplies and payments for the counterfeit goods were made.
Law enforcement officers established that some of the products bore counterfeit excise tax stamps that were not recorded in state registers. Some of the e-cigarettes were sold without excise stamps.
As part of the investigation, 27 searches were carried out at premises where excise goods were manufactured and sold.
During the investigation, over 30,000 units of e-liquids and components for e-cigarettes, 16,000 units of other tobacco products, nearly 2,500 POD systems, around 10,000 cartridges, as well as mobile phones, computer equipment, cash and rough notes were seized.
The total value of the seized goods at black market prices is approximately 12.3 million hryvnias.
The issue of placing the seized property under arrest and identifying all persons involved in the operation of the scheme is currently being resolved.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under Articles 204 and 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.
The police reiterated 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 established by a court conviction.
