A large-scale illegal production and sale of e-liquids for electronic cigarettes has been uncovered in the capital of Ukraine. This was the result of efforts by the Office of the Prosecutor General in collaboration with the Bureau of Economic Security. The criminal group was involved in the illegal circulation of nicotine-based mixtures and flavoured liquids, which are prohibited in Ukraine. The products were sold through a widespread network of physical and online stores.
The special operation, which took place in Kyiv city, as well as in the Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions, involved over 200 individuals. More than 70 searches were conducted at the residences of the organisers, manufacturing sites, and points of sale of the illegal products.
As a result, the following were confiscated:
- 43.5 thousand flavourings;
- 30.2 thousand units of glycerin;
- 36 thousand taste enhancers;
- 19.8 thousand cartridges;
- 3.6 thousand pod-systems;
- 27 sets of equipment;
- raw materials: 180 litres of propylene glycol, 660 litres of glycerine, and 205 litres of flavourings.
In addition, over 70 thousand US dollars, computers and rough notes were seized. The total value of the confiscated assets is estimated at 30 million hryvnias, and these assets will be seized. The illegal trading points have already been dismantled. Investigative actions continue in order to identify all persons involved and to make further procedural decisions.
Source: SpecprokuraturaZahidRegion