Uncovering Illegal Tobacco Production
This information was shared by Oleksandr Tkachuk, the head of BEB detectives, during a roundtable with the Association "Ukrtyun".
According to BEB, 16 greenhouses were found in the Ovidiopol community of Odesa region, situated amidst fields. The tobacco was cultivated using a drip irrigation system, promoting intensive plant growth.
After harvesting, the tobacco leaves were dried in specially equipped facilities for several months. The dried raw material was then ground using an industrial line and packaged. The investigation revealed that the finished tobacco products were intended for illegal sale throughout Ukraine, disguised as products from well-known brands.
BEB detectives seized nearly 56 tons of cultivated and processed tobacco products. Additionally, equipment for planting, irrigation hoses, and an industrial line for drying and grinding tobacco were confiscated. The seized materials have been sent for necessary judicial examinations as part of the investigation.
