Law enforcement officers conducted a large-scale special operation against the illegal e-cigarette market throughout Ukraine. During 272 searches at production facilities, warehouses and points of sale in almost every region, a scheme was uncovered that resulted in the state budget receiving 100 million hryvnias less in excise tax. This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine.
In total, liquids, vapes, industrial equipment and other property worth 170 million hryvnias were seized. Among the seized items were almost 970 thousand units of flavorings, glycerin and nicotine, over 6 thousand sets of vape liquids, tobacco for hookahs without excise stamps, over 343 thousand units of packaging, 157 mobile phones and laptops, three automated complexes for mass production and bottling of liquids, almost 2 million hryvnias in cash, documentation and draft records.
According to the investigation, the suspects had a license only for the production of liquids for electronic cigarettes and declared the sale of “strength enhancers.” In fact, they probably mass-produced and sold ready-made flavored nicotine mixtures for vaping, paying a minimal excise tax for the “Focus Nick” brand.
“Counterfeit mixtures are often manufactured without complying with any safety and quality standards. That is why the operatives of the National Police’s Special Investigation Unit have developed a phased plan for a nationwide operation aimed at documenting all links in the illegal business,” the police added.
Law enforcement officers have already announced eight suspicions. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under articles on illegal circulation of excise tax stamps, illegal production and sale of excisable goods, as well as legalization of property obtained by criminal means.
