Under the procedural leadership of the prosecutors of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a group of persons was exposed who were engaged in the sale of contraband excise goods (Part 1 of Article 199, Part 1 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
According to the investigation, three Lviv residents sold contraband electronic cigarettes through a specially created Telegram channel, as well as in local wholesale and retail stores.
During a number of searches in shops and residences of the accused, more than 28,000 electronic cigarettes of a well-known foreign brand with a total value of more than UAH 10 million were found. Cars used to transport excise goods, draft bookkeeping, mobile phones, servers, as well as UAH 16 million in cash obtained as a result of criminal activity and other material evidence in the case were also seized.
According to preliminary estimates, the value of all seized property is UAH 30 million.
Investigations are ongoing, relevant examinations are being conducted. The issue of notification of suspicion to members of a criminal group is being resolved.
The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings is carried out by detectives of the Security Service of Lviv region, according to the materials of the SBU Office in Lviv region.