Under the procedural supervision of prosecutors of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, an indictment against four members of the organized group was sent to court. They are charged with illegal acquisition, storage, transportation and sale of excisable goods (Part 3 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Also, one of them is charged with illegal acquisition and storage of drugs without the purpose of sale (Part 1 of Art. 309 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The investigation established that in Lviv, a local resident organized a scheme for the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes and e-liquids for refueling these cigarettes. He involved three other friends in the “business”.
The defendants sold the goods wholesale and retail in Lviv and throughout Ukraine. In order to disguise this activity, the available unaccounted products were sold alongside the licensed ones.
During the searches at the storage addresses and places of business, almost 5.5 thousand packs of e-cigarettes and more than 8 thousand units of goods without excise stamps were found and seized.
The total value of the seized products is over UAH 13 million.
Law enforcement officers also seized computer equipment with data storage devices, draft accounting records and mobile phones.
The pre-trial investigation was carried out by detectives of the Territorial Department of the BES in Lviv region, with operational support provided by the SBU Office in Lviv region.
Note: According to Art. 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved by law and established by a court verdict of guilty.
Information Policy Department
of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office