Ukrainian Customs Seize Two Million Counterfeit Marlboro Cigarette Packets

On January 20, 2011, the customs officials at a border crossing in the south of Ukraine seized a large shipment of empty cigarette packets and cartons marked with the trademark Marlboro and initiated a criminal investigation into the case.

The shipment of approximately 1.7 million cigarette packets and 200,000 cigarette cartons, valued at approximately EUR 292,082 (USD 394,487), arrived back in April 2010 at the seaport Illichivsk, southern Ukraine. According to the shipping forms and documents, a company from the city of Dnepropetrovsk, southeastern Ukraine, ordered the packets and cartons, which were manufactured in China. The owners of the company have, however, denied any connection with the fake goods and involvement in the case.

For more information, please contact Maya Kryvoshei at our Ukraine office.

Source: Ukrainian Customs