The BES showed the results of work on de-shadowing of excise markets
25 November 2025 18:10
The Bureau of Economic Security reports on a number of successful special operations in the field of de-shadowing of excise markets conducted in the first two weeks of November, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to the agency, the operations took place in several regions of Ukraine and were aimed at eliminating the illegal production of tobacco products, alcohol, vapes and fuel.
Illegal tobacco industry
The BES detectives uncovered an illegal tobacco factory in Poltava region. During the searches, they seized equipment and finished products worth almost UAH 47 million.
In Zakarpattia region, law enforcement officers dismantled another illegal cigarette factory – the case has already been referred to court. A similar operation took place in Volyn region, where workshops were found selling products through social media. 700 kg of tobacco and nine production machines were seized. The suspects have been served with notices of suspicion.
The investigation also touched on e-cigarettes
In Lviv region, a group that sold vapes through a Telegram channel was shut down.
In Poltava , detectives stopped the illegal production of e-cigarette liquids that were supplied online throughout Ukraine. Equipment, raw materials and products worth over UAH 1 million were seized during the searches. The BES also claims to have uncovered a larger scheme for the production of flavored liquids.
Alcohol and fuel out of control
In Vinnytsia region , a licensed company was producing alcohol without excise stamps and selling it off the books. During the searches, 12 tons of alcohol-containing liquid and accounting documents worth over UAH 4 million were seized.
In Odesa region , detectives exposed a scheme to sell illegal fuel through unofficial gas stations. They seized 33 tons of gasoline and diesel, storage equipment, cash and documentation. The case has already been reviewed by the court and a guilty verdict has been handed down.
The BES states that combating the shadow turnover of excisable products is one of the key areas of its work. The Bureau emphasizes that such operations not only stop illegal activities but also increase tax revenues to the state budget.
