Under the procedural guidance of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Prosecutor's Office, five residents of Khmelnytskyi have been notified of suspicion regarding the illegal acquisition, production, storage for the purpose of sale, and sale of illegally produced liquids used in electronic cigarettes, committed by a group of individuals in prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 1, 2 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, from April to December 2025, the suspects organized an underground production of counterfeit liquids in a warehouse of one of the shopping centers in Khmelnytskyi. The components were ordered in Kyiv, after which they produced the products and sold them throughout Ukraine via the Telegram messenger, as well as through specialized stores in Khmelnytskyi. The sales were conducted under their own unregistered brand without excise tax stamps. It is worth noting that in December 2025, law enforcement agencies halted the illegal activities of this group. 

During authorized searches of premises, vehicles, and storage locations in Khmelnytskyi and Kyiv, illegally produced products and components worth over 14.5 million UAH were seized. Among the seized items were approximately 27,000 bottles of finished liquids, 24,000 ampoules of nicotine, nearly 32,000 units of components, production equipment, and rough notes. Almost 650,000 UAH in cash and vehicles used in illegal activities were also seized.

According to the conclusions of forensic examinations, the seized liquids do not meet the requirements of DSTU, and their circulation on the territory of Ukraine is prohibited by law.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police in the Khmelnytskyi region with operational support from the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.