This information was shared by Oleksandr Tkachuk, head of the BEB detectives, during a roundtable with the «Ukrtyun» Association.

According to the BEB, 16 greenhouses were found in the Ovidiopol community where tobacco was illegally grown using a drip irrigation system. These greenhouses provided ideal conditions for rapid plant growth.

After harvesting, the tobacco leaves were dried in specially equipped facilities for several months. The dried leaves were then ground using industrial lines and packed into boxes. According to the investigation, the finished products were intended for illegal sale throughout Ukraine, disguised as products from well-known brands.

BEB detectives seized nearly 56 tons of grown and processed tobacco products. Equipment for planting, irrigation hoses, and an industrial line for drying and grinding tobacco were also confiscated. The seized materials have been sent for necessary judicial examinations as part of the investigation.