Illegal sale of counterfeit cigarettes on Telegram exposed in Kyiv: 13 thousand packs without excise duty confiscated

In Kyiv, law enforcement agencies have uncovered a network that was selling counterfeit tobacco products via Telegram. Detectives from the Bureau of Economic Security seized about 13,000 packs of cigarettes without excise stamps, ready to be shipped to buyers.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security in Kyiv under the supervision of the city prosecutor’s office.

According to the investigation, the organizers illegally sold well-known brand cigarettes through one of the Telegram channels, offering products without excise stamps indicating their origin.

Orders were accepted online, and the goods were sent by postal services throughout Ukraine, enabling the creation of a system for selling counterfeit products.

Law enforcement officers recorded illegal activities and discovered places where illegal cigarettes were stored. A batch of unbranded tobacco products was seized immediately before being sent to the customer.

During the authorized searches, detectives found and seized about 13,000 packs of cigarettes. A petition has now been filed with the court to seize the seized products.

The investigation continues to identify the individuals involved in organizing this illegal business, as well as the supply channels for counterfeit goods.

A pre-trial investigation is ongoing into the facts of illegal acquisition, storage, transportation, and sale of excisable goods, as well as the use of counterfeit excise stamps. Criminal proceedings have been opened under Part 1 of Article 204 and Part 2 of Article 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

If found guilty, the participants in the scheme may be held liable under current legislation. Law enforcement officers continue to clarify all the details of the case and search for possible accomplices.

It was previously reported that BEB detectives completed the investigation of a case related to the organizer of a network of illegal gambling establishments in Odessa, during which cash and equipment worth over UAH 2.2 million were seized.