BEB discovered an illegal cigarette factory in Kremenchuk: 11 people are suspected

Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security in Chernivtsi region identified 11 individuals involved in the organization of illegal production and sale of excisable goods.

The co-founder of the enterprise, his employees and other participants in the illegal scheme were among the defendants in the case. The investigation showed that the group organized the clandestine production of tobacco products in the Poltava region, in particular in Kremenchuk. The exposure was possible thanks to the establishment of a route for the supply of raw materials from Bukovina to the factory where counterfeit products were manufactured.

Two powerful lines operated at the illegal production facility, which ensured the mass production of cigarettes of various brands. The finished products were distributed through an organized network throughout Ukraine.

During searches at the suspects’ places of business, detectives seized a significant amount of equipment and finished products. Two industrial lines for the production and packaging of cigarettes, about 38 tons of tobacco, over 240 thousand packs of counterfeit cigarettes, about 190 thousand counterfeit excise stamps, as well as many printing materials for packaging were found. In addition, over 6,000 liters of illegally produced alcohol were seized. The total value of the seized goods exceeds 50 million hryvnias.

All 11 participants were suspected under parts 1 and 2 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which regulate the illegal production, storage, transportation and sale of excisable goods. Law enforcement officers are currently considering the issue of preventive measures, in particular in the form of bail.

The pre-trial investigation continues. Operational support of the case was carried out by employees of the Department of Operational and Investigative Activities of the Administration of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, and procedural management is provided by the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor’s Office.