Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) of Ukraine in the Kyiv region have uncovered a large-scale scheme of illegal production and sale of coffee under the guise of products of world brands. This was reported by the official website of the agency.
Suspicion was reported to the organizer of the criminal scheme and his five accomplices.
According to the investigation, the perpetrators did not have any permits, licenses, or agreements to use well-known trademarks. Despite this, they organized large-scale production of counterfeit coffee products in warehouses in the Kyiv region.
The counterfeits were packaged and sold both wholesale and retail — through online stores, retail outlets, and markets. All of this was done under the guise of original products from global brands.
The investigation established that the participants in the scheme managed to legalize over UAH 100 million in proceeds from illegal activities. During the searches, law enforcement officers seized equipment for the production, processing, and packaging of coffee, documentation, draft notes, and other evidence.
Also seized were 11 luxury cars, including a Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S 65, Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 S, Chevrolet Corvette, and others. This indicates the significant profits that the participants in the scheme received by trading in counterfeit goods.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. If found guilty, the defendants face serious penalties for illegal use of trademarks, counterfeiting of products, and money laundering.
