Court to hear case against Odesa entrepreneur over illegal sale of vapes through four shops

Charges over organising illegal business

A court in Odesa region is preparing to hear a criminal case against a local entrepreneur. He is charged with creating a scheme for the illegal sale of e-cigarettes and liquids for refilling them. According to the investigation, four retail outlets were used for this purpose, none of which held the appropriate licences to trade such products.

Activity in collusion with another individual

Investigators established that the defendant did not act alone. He reached an agreement with another participant in the crime, and together they arranged the supply of goods. E-cigarettes and special liquids were subsequently sold to consumers without the necessary permits.

Four shops located in the city of Odesa and the village of Lymanka were selected for the sale of the products. The entrepreneur involved employees of these establishments in the sales process. Payments from buyers were made in cash.

Inspection results and seizure of goods

During an inspection of one of the establishments named in the case, law enforcement officers discovered a significant quantity of goods. Specifically, 369 containers of e-cigarette liquids and 80 devices were seized. All these items did not meet legal requirements for the circulation of excisable products.

Law enforcement officers documented the fact of illegal sales. The man has been charged with the acquisition, storage, transportation, and sale of excisable products, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy.

Case status and additional circumstances

The pre-trial investigation has been completed, and the indictment has already been sent to the court for a hearing on the merits. It is noted that during the investigation period, the accused transferred 100,000 hryvnia to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As previously reported, law enforcement officers in Odesa region shut down another channel for the sale of illegal tobacco products. A woman who sold hookah tobacco and vapes without proper documents and excise duties will also face the court. The investigation established that individuals involved in this scheme organised an underground production facility in the centre of Odesa.