Tons of tobacco and thousands of cigarette packs seized in Kherson

In Kherson, law enforcement officers dismantled a clandestine tobacco production facility operating in an ordinary residential building and disguised as a private household.

According to the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office, the operation was conducted under its procedural supervision jointly with police investigators, border guards and strategic investigation units.

How the scheme worked

According to the investigation, five local residents were involved in the illegal activity. They organized a full cycle of cigarette production:

• set up a production workshop in a residential building
• installed three specialized machines
• organized the processing of tobacco raw materials
• manufactured and packaged the finished products

The counterfeit cigarettes were sold through established channels throughout Ukraine.

What was seized during the searches

During the authorized searches, law enforcement officers documented a significant scale of activity and seized

• over 5000 packs of finished cigarettes
• about 1775 kg of tobacco raw materials
• equipment for production
• packaging materials, filters, paper, processing liquids
• blanks for packs and excise elements

Cash was also seized:

• more than 1.1 thousand dollars
• 213 thousand hryvnias

In addition, law enforcement officers seized

• two cars
• computer equipment
• draft accounting books

Weapons and other findings

During the searches, law enforcement officers found items similar to weapons:

• a pistol
• two carbines
• pump-action rifle
• ammunition

A substance of plant origin with a characteristic cannabis odor was also found.

What's next

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under the articles on

• illegal manufacture and sale of tobacco products
• use of counterfeit excise stamps
• activities as part of a group of persons

Investigators are identifying all those involved in the scheme, as well as the channels of supply of raw materials and sales of finished products.

According to the law, the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Андрій Колісніченко