Nine face court over Ukrainian tobacco network
Ukrainian police say nine people face prosecution over an illicit tobacco supply chain between Ternopil and Odesa. Investigators also allege the laundering of more than 35 million hryvnias.
An indictment against nine alleged members of an interregional tobacco network has been sent to court, the National Police announced on 30 October. Investigators say a former married couple recruited seven others to grow tobacco in Ternopil region, process and package it in Odesa and sell it across Ukraine. Market stalls, websites and postal deliveries allegedly served the operation. Registered sole traders and bank accounts were allegedly used to disguise proceeds, with police reporting suspected laundering exceeding 35 million hryvnias.
Searches in both regions yielded more than 9.1 tonnes of tobacco, production equipment, cigarettes without excise stamps, cash and vehicles. Police valued the tobacco at almost 13 million hryvnias. The nine were formally notified of suspicion between May and July 2026. With the pretrial investigation completed, the case has now been referred to court. Charges vary by alleged role and cover unlawful production, storage or sale of excise goods and laundering criminal assets. The investigation was supervised by Odesa regional prosecutors.
