Ukraine Busts Illegal E-Liquid Production Site, Seizing Over 5 Tons of Finished Product and Inputs

Key Points

• Location & suspects: The case occurred in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; two local residents are implicated.
• Modus operandi: Components such as nicotine, glycerin, and flavorings were portioned separately, mixed into finished e-liquid, and then boxed for sale.
• Seizures on site: More than five tons of e-liquid, pre-packed goods, production equipment, and packaging materials were confiscated.
• Legal characterization: Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 204 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code (illegal manufacture, storage, transportation, and sale of excisable goods by a group acting in prior conspiracy).
• Agencies involved: Operational support by the Dnipropetrovsk Directorate of the National Police’s Internal Security Department; procedural oversight by prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General.

2Firsts, September 2, 2025 — The Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine (BEB) reported that its Main Detective Unit recently uncovered a case involving the illegal production of excisable goods in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Investigators determined that two residents of Kryvyi Rih had set up an underground production line in the city to manufacture liquids used in electronic cigarettes.

According to the agency, the suspects portioned raw materials—including nicotine, glycerin, and aromatic additives—into separate containers, then mixed and repackaged them into finished e-liquid, which was boxed and sold. Law-enforcement officers conducted coordinated searches at locations used for illegal production and storage, seizing more than five tons of e-liquid, pre-packed products, equipment believed to be used in unlawful manufacturing, and large quantities of packaging materials.

BEB has notified the two organizers that they are suspected of criminal offenses under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—illegal manufacture, storage, transportation, and sale of excisable goods committed by a group upon prior conspiracy. Operational support was provided by the Dnipropetrovsk Directorate of the National Police’s Internal Security Department, with procedural oversight by prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General. Follow-up inquiries will focus on financial flows, the sales network, and upstream/downstream supply chains to assess the scale of the operation and its potential market impact.