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March 16, 2026, 4:37 p.m.
A batch of hookah tobacco worth 3 million was seized in Odesa
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PHOTO: BAB
Detectives of the Bureau of Economic Security in Odesa region exposed a group of people who organized the illegal sale of hookah tobacco.
According to the BES press service, the pre-trial investigation established that one of the suspects organized a scheme for the wholesale purchase and subsequent sale of illegally manufactured hookah tobacco in retail kiosks and online.
He involved two acquaintances. The organizer was responsible for finding suppliers and sales channels in Ukraine, placing orders, purchasing, transporting tobacco, and setting prices.
One of the accomplices was involved in the creation and administration of online stores on Instagram and Telegram. Through them, the suspects promoted a range of hookah tobacco and accepted orders from customers.
Another member of the group made financial settlements with suppliers and kept records of expenses, including rent, utilities, and remuneration to scheme participants.
For conspiracy, the group members used private chats in Telegram and Viber messengers. The hookah tobacco was sold through retail kiosks and by mail. During a search of warehouses in Odesa, detectives seized 203 kilograms of illegally produced hookah tobacco and unmarked tobacco packages. The seized products do not meet the requirements of quality standards. In order to ensure compensation for the damage caused as a result of the criminal proceedings, the property worth UAH 3.2 million was seized. In addition, each of the suspects voluntarily transferred UAH 300,000 to the needs of the Armed Forces.
The detainees were served a notice of suspicion of illegal manufacture, storage and sale of excisable goods, as well as money laundering. The indictment has now been sent to court.
