Ukrainian authorities have identified the production and sale of food products that imitate well-known brands.
Operatives of the Territorial Administration of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine (ESBU) in the Kyiv region established that counterfeit products were manufactured in unsanitary conditions in underground workshops.
The pre-trial investigation into the alleged criminal case is ongoing and the role of individuals in illegal activities is being established.
The defendants packaged the goods, produced packaging and applied markings imitating the trademarks HJ Bruggen KG, Aquamarine, Babushkin Product, Veres, Bonduelle and others. The counterfeit goods were then distributed to retail outlets and markets, where they were sold as original ones.
The estimated value of all seized items exceeds 20 million Ukrainian hryvnia (473 thousand US dollars).
Copying brands
EBU detectives recorded communication between the defendants, the processes of purchasing raw materials, production and sale of counterfeit products.
This led to large-scale searches during which almost 24 tons of HJ Bruggen KG products were seized, as well as Bonduelle products, 100,000 units of Babusin Product, 40,000 units of Aquamarine products, more than 5,000 units of Veres products and more than 45,000 units of other well-known brands.
Also seized were manufacturing and packaging equipment, raw materials, draft records, financial documents, computer devices, mobile phones and vehicles.
Brand representatives involved in the investigation confirmed that the confiscated products were counterfeit and used their trademarks.
Earlier in November, EBU detectives in Kyiv uncovered the fact of illegal production and sale of counterfeit alcohol.
A group of people are accused of organizing a scheme for the production and sale of alcoholic beverages without the necessary permits. Counterfeit products were sold in retail outlets in the capital.
During searches at the event venues, investigators discovered equipment for the production of alcohol. About 13.9 thousand liters of finished counterfeit products, 1.8 thousand liters of raw ethyl alcohol, accounting records, mobile phones and computer equipment were seized.
The pre-trial investigation continues and a forensic medical examination has been ordered.
