[62128] Extensive enforcement operation in Ukraine: Dismantling giant networks of counterfeit electronic cigarettes

Extensive enforcement operation against the pirate "vape" industry in Ukraine

In a series of coordinated raids across Ukraine, law enforcement forces uncovered complex networks for the production and sale of electronic cigarettes and refill liquids without proper reporting. According to the channel Труха⚡️Україна, known for its tendency to support government measures, nearly 300 searches were conducted, leading to the seizure of property with an estimated value of 170 million hryvnias.

The method, as detailed in Лачен пише, was based on falsely declaring the products as "flavor enhancers" instead of ready-made nicotine liquids, thereby allowing the perpetrators to avoid paying excise taxes. The state estimated the damage to the treasury at over 100 million hryvnias. In a joint report by enforcement agencies, it was noted that over 970,000 units of raw materials were seized, including flavorings, nicotine, and glycerin, as well as industrial production lines.

On the economic website ЭП it was noted that the operation of the laboratories and product distribution spanned 12 regions, with the focus of activity in the capital Kyiv and the surrounding region. Suspicion notices were filed against the organizers, including charges of money laundering in the amount of approximately 67 million hryvnias.

In the western regions, Суспільне Львів reported the dismantling of marketing networks that operated points of sale inside large shopping centers in cities such as Lviv, Stryi, and Drohobych. Additional enforcement forces, including the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (BEB), confirmed the seizure of inventory and the halting of operations of parallel networks in Vinnytsia and Odesa, as reported on Новини.LIVE.