51,200 packs of cigarettes hidden in a furniture truck seized in Vinnytsia region

Law enforcement officers in the Vinnytsia region prevented the illegal movement of over 51,000 packs of tobacco products across the state border. The illegal cargo was found in a specially arranged hidden compartment in a truck that was formally transporting wooden furniture to the Republic of Moldova.

How customs officers uncovered the smuggling

According to the investigation, a truck with a semi-trailer arrived at the Mohyliv-Podilskyi international road border crossing. Accompanying documents indicated the transport of a legal cargo — wooden furniture from Ukraine to Moldova.

However, during customs control, officers discovered a discrepancy: the actual mass of the vehicle with the cargo did not match the weight stated in the documents. This provided grounds for a full inspection of the vehicle.

During the check, customs officers found a hidden compartment between the double walls of the semi-trailer. Large stocks of undeclared cigarettes were stored there. A total of 51,200 packs of tobacco products without excise tax stamps were seized.

Preventive measure chosen for the suspect

Detectives of the Territorial Directorate of the Bureau of Economic Security (BEB) in Vinnytsia region notified the driver of suspicion. He turned out to be a citizen of the Republic of Moldova.

His actions were qualified under Part 2 of Article 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This article provides for liability for the movement of excisable goods across the customs border with concealment from customs control, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy on a large scale.

The court ruled to hold the suspect in custody with the possibility of posting bail. The bail amount was set at 998,000 hryvnias.

Investigation details

The illegal products, as well as the truck and semi-trailer itself, have been seized. Operational support in the criminal proceedings is being provided by officers of the 24th Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in cooperation with the Vinnytsia Customs Directorate of the State Customs Service and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Vinnytsia region. Procedural supervision is carried out by the Vinnytsia Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Law enforcement officers continue to establish the circumstances of the incident and are checking the possible involvement of other persons in organising this smuggling. In accordance with current legislation, the suspect is considered innocent until his guilt is proven in court.

Previously, it was established that the investigation into an attempt to smuggle 105,000 packs of cigarettes to Moldova in Bukovyna had been completed. The value of the products seized at that time was estimated at 4.41 million hryvnias, and the indictment was sent to court. Also, in October, border guards in Zakarpattia region found 730 packs of tobacco products worth 35,900 hryvnias in an Opel car, and the information was passed to the BEB.