Ukraine’s Economic Security Bureau (ESB) has recently exposed three major illicit production and distribution operations across the country involving counterfeit coffee, jewellery and alcohol that infringed major international brands.

In the Kyiv region, the authorities dismantled a coffee production facility that was set up in leased warehouses. The coffee was roasted, packaged, and labeled with the logos of famous global brands, with the counterfeit products distributed nationwide via online stores, physical marketplaces, and postal services. The suspects had officially collaborated with a trade mark owner until 2021, after which they continued using the brand illegally. The goods seized during 22 searches included production equipment, raw materials, packaging materials, finished products, vehicles, cash, and documents worth 20 million UAH (approx. 400,000 EUR).

Meanwhile, in Odesa, a major port city located in southern Ukraine, two residents were indicted for production and sale of counterfeit gold and silver jewellery that infringed upon world-famous brands. The counterfeit products were sold in a local shopping center store and ordered through social media and mobile apps for nationwide delivery. Counterfeit gold jewellery worth 4,6 million UAH (approx. 92,000 EUR) was seized, and the property was frozen to secure compensation for the damages. Losses to the brand owner are estimated at 30 million UAH (approx. 600,000 EUR).

Additionally, a large-scale bootleg alcohol operation was exposed in Ternopil, a major city in western Ukraine, where a local entrepreneur had set up the production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages at a rented warehouse. The counterfeit alcohol was filled into 5- and 10-liter plastic containers, bag-in-box packaging, and glass bottles bearing the labels of well-known international brands. It was then sold in bulk across Ukraine through established distribution channels, online platforms, and messaging apps. During the raid, authorities seized large quantities of ethyl alcohol, production mixtures, and finished products. They also confiscated industrial manufacturing equipment, counterfeit labels, unaccounted financial records, and digital devices.

Investigations into all three operations are ongoing.