Ukrainian Authorities Bust Illegal E-cigarette Sales Ring Worth Millions

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.23.2024
Ukrainian Authorities Bust Illegal E-cigarette Sales Ring Worth Millions
Ukraine's BEB detectives announce six suspects arrested for illegal e-cigarette sales worth $1.3 million, uncovered in multiple raids.

According to Ukrainian media outlet Focus, on May 22, the main detective department of the Security Service of Ukraine (BEB) announced that six individuals are suspected of selling illegally manufactured e-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquid without proper excise tax stamps, amounting to 52 million hryvnias (approximately $1.3 million). This information was reported by BEB news service.

 

The report states that a group of people organized the sale of illegally manufactured consumer goods through chain stores and online websites. These stores are located in several Western regions, especially Ivanovo-Frankivsk and Chernobyl.

 

The BEB clarified that initially detectives conducted over 20 searches, seizing property worth over 40 million grivnas. However, even after the searches, the suspects continued to illegally sell tax-exempt goods.

 

The BEB pointed out, "BEB detectives once again conducted searches of warehouses and product sales locations. Over 45,000 e-cigarettes and the liquid used with them were seized. The seized items are estimated to be worth over 12 million Grifenia (approximately 300,000 USD).

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Imperial Brands Expects Low-Single-Digit Tobacco and NGP Net Revenue Growth in H1
Imperial Brands Expects Low-Single-Digit Tobacco and NGP Net Revenue Growth in H1
Imperial Brands released a trading update on April 14, reiterating its FY26 guidance and saying its 2030 transformation has started positively. The company said it still expects low-single-digit tobacco net revenue growth, double-digit NGP net revenue growth, 3.00% to 5.00% growth in Group adjusted operating profit, at least high-single-digit earnings per share growth, and at least GBP 2.2 billion in free cash flow for the full year.
Apr.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
EVO NXT 2026 Opens in Prague as Global NGP Industry Gathers for Two-Day Event
EVO NXT 2026 Opens in Prague as Global NGP Industry Gathers for Two-Day Event
2026 — EVO NXT 2026 officially opened today in Prague, bringing together manufacturers, brand owners, retailers, and decision-makers from across the global next-generation products (NGP) industry. As the event’s official media partner for the fourth consecutive year, 2Firsts is reporting on site, tracking key developments across the exhibition floor, forum agenda, and broader industry discussions.
Apr.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ukrainian Prosecutors and Economic Security Bureau Dismantle Illegal Vape Liquid Network Worth About UAH 30 Million
Ukrainian Prosecutors and Economic Security Bureau Dismantle Illegal Vape Liquid Network Worth About UAH 30 Million
Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General and the Bureau of Economic Security said they uncovered an illegal production and sales scheme for e-cigarette liquids that had been operating in Ukraine since 2023.
Apr.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exclusive|Logistics Operators Warn of Possible New U.S. Border Crackdown on Illicit Vapes
Exclusive|Logistics Operators Warn of Possible New U.S. Border Crackdown on Illicit Vapes
Recent inspections and cargo disruption have led some logistics operators in the China-U.S. vape trade to see early signs of another U.S. border crackdown on illicit e-cigarettes. With late April to early May viewed as a key risk window, the market is watching closely. The bigger question is not only whether enforcement will tighten, but whether it can be sustained.
Special Report
Apr.09
Exhibition Insights | Beyond Devices: What RELX’s Multi-Format Display Suggests About Category Expansion
Exhibition Insights | Beyond Devices: What RELX’s Multi-Format Display Suggests About Category Expansion
RELX’s booth in Prague brought together vaping devices, RELX-branded e-liquids, oral nicotine products and a nasal product concept in one display. Rather than centering the booth on a single hardware line, the company presented multiple product paths side by side.
Apr.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Swedish Politicians Ask European Commission to Clarify Legality of France’s Nicotine Pouch Ban
Swedish Politicians Ask European Commission to Clarify Legality of France’s Nicotine Pouch Ban
France’s ban on oral nicotine pouches has triggered an immediate response in Sweden. Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa said Sweden had mobilized strongly against the ban and argued that it constitutes a clear obstacle to the free movement of goods within the EU single market. Swedish officials say the measure affects a strategically important domestic industry and conflicts with Sweden’s harm-reduction approach to public health.
Apr.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai