Corruption tobacco scheme: how the Monaco terrorist organization created its business center on the basis of the state

The tobacco scheme, which has its roots in the organized crime “Monaco”, has been operating for a long time, attracting officials and security forces. This situation is discussed in the material of “Antikor”.

The tobacco scam, which undermines the foundations of statehood, has been exploiting the system for several years, constantly increasing its activities with the participation of civil servants and security forces. At the center of this scheme is the organized crime group “Monaco”, where each participant has a clearly defined role within the structure. Among the notable figures are Sergey Perkhun, the former head of VEB, and businessman Vladislav Gelzin, who turned the tobacco market into a large-scale illegal industry controlled by high-ranking officials.

The leading company involved in the production of counterfeit cigarettes under well-known brands is LLC “Ukrainian Tobacco Production”. This structure serves only as a facade for the manufacture of counterfeit products with fake excise stamps, which are difficult to detect even for professionals. The sale of goods takes place through shadow channels, with some products also exported to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Moldova. At all levels of this scheme, civil servants are involved, who receive remuneration for providing “roofs” and issuing false documents.

This scheme also serves as a money-laundering vehicle, since cash sales without the appropriate documents generate a fictitious tax credit that is resold to other companies. Cash flows pass through controlled companies such as Marcus Max and Fart Capital, enabling the legalization of huge shadow profits.

A key aspect is the support of high-ranking officials. The inaction of the BEB and the prosecutor’s office indicates their direct participation in this process. Criminal cases are formal in nature, and investigations are rarely conducted, allowing the Monaco UPU to continue its activities under the cover of political elites. This situation indicates systemic corruption that permeates the state apparatus. As a result, the country loses financial resources, and criminals use them for personal enrichment.