Head of Zakarpattia regional state administration Hennadiy Moskal has asked Ukrainian and foreign tobacco producers to join the battle against cigarette smuggling on the western border of Ukraine.
“We’re asking to conduct lab examinations of confiscated cigarettes to identify them and place of their production – even an exact plant in Ukraine or abroad. Thus, specific sources of smuggling channels going through our region will be established as well the percentage of counterfeit products,” Moskal’s press service quoted him as saying.
In addition, he noted the practicability of organizing training of Ukrainian law enforcement officers defending the border.
“Thirdly, we’re expecting help in buying equipment for uncovering counterfeit cigarettes in motor and railway transport,” Moskal said, adding that he was talking about special scanners which can “see” inside transport vehicles and containers without unloading.
“We’re inviting representatives of world brands of tobacco products represented in Ukraine for a special meeting in Uzhgorod. Ukraine’s isn’t the only one interested in beefing up the battle against smuggling, but also cigarette producers that sustain huge losses due to illegal sale of their products,” Moskal said.
