Authorities in Ukraine have uncovered the manufacture and sale of food products made to mimic well-known brands.
Detectives from the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) in the Kyiv region found the counterfeit goods were manufactured in unsanitary conditions in underground workshops.
A pre-trial investigation is ongoing into the suspected criminal proceedings and the role of individuals in the illegal activity is being established.
The accused packed the items, produced packaging, and applied labeling imitating the brands H.J. Bruggen KG, Aquamarine, “Babusyn Produkt” (Grandmother’s Product), Veres, Bonduelle, and others. Counterfeit goods were then distributed to retail outlets and markets, where they were sold as original products.
The estimated value of all seized items exceeds 20 million Ukrainian hryvnia (U.S. $473,000).
Copying brands
ESBU detectives documented communications among those involved, the processes of raw material procurement, production, and sale of counterfeit goods.
This led to large-scale searches, during which almost 24 tons of H.J. Bruggen KG products were seized, along with Bonduelle products, 100,000 units of “Babusyn Produkt,” 40,000 units of Aquamarine, over 5,000 units of Veres, and more than 45,000 units of other well-known brands.
Equipment for manufacturing and packaging, raw materials, draft records, financial documents, computer devices, mobile phones, and vehicles were also seized.
Trademark representatives involved in the investigation confirmed that the confiscated products were counterfeit and were using their trademarks.
Earlier in November, ESBU detectives in Kyiv uncovered the illegal production and sale of counterfeit alcohol.
A group of people are accused of organizing a scheme to manufacture and sell alcoholic beverages without the necessary permits. Counterfeit products were sold at retail outlets in the capital.
During searches at locations where activities were carried out, detectives found alcohol production equipment. They seized nearly 13,900 liters of finished counterfeit products, 1,800 liters of raw ethyl alcohol, accounting records, mobile phones, and computer equipment.
A pre-trial investigation is ongoing, and forensic examinations have been ordered.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)