Under the guise of an ordinary enterprise, a full-fledged tobacco factory operated in Poltava region, but without licenses, taxes, or any state control. A large-scale production of cigarettes made from counterfeit tobacco, which was imported from Chernivtsi region, was conducted under the guise of a regular business.

To conceal the illegal activity, the organizers created a well-thought-out conspiracy scheme. The raw materials were delivered in small batches through postal services, while the production itself operated under the guise of a legal workshop. The factory premises housed a complete production line: drying chambers, grinding machines, packaging equipment, computers, and mobile terminals.

Counterfeit products were distributed throughout Ukraine, generating millions in shadow profits.

Law enforcement officials confiscated about 38 tons of tobacco, nearly 250,000 packs of cigarettes, two industrial lines for producing unfiltered cigarettes, printed products, tobacco paper, and 190,000 excise stamps. Cash was also found: $79,300, €6,250, and 60,000 UAH. Additionally, 6,240 liters of alcohol (vodka and wine) were confiscated from the storage facilities.

The procedural leadership in the proceedings under Part 1, 2 of Article 204 and Part 2 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is carried out by prosecutors of the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Currently, all individuals involved in the illegal production and distribution channels are being identified.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by detectives of the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security in Chernivtsi region with operational support from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.