“The suspects established a full production cycle for counterfeit perfumes through the illegal use of other companies’ trademarks,” police said. “They purchased components and organized the manufacturing, bottling, packaging and sale of products designed to imitate genuine goods.”
Fake labels, stickers, packaging materials, instructions and barcodes were used to make the counterfeit products appear authentic, police said.
The products were sold through retail outlets and markets in Kharkiv and shipped to customers across Ukraine by mail.
Investigators conducted 14 searches in Kharkiv and Lviv at suspects’ homes, a printing facility, production sites, bottling workshops and warehouses where finished products and manufacturing components were stored.
Police seized more than 560,000 bottles of counterfeit perfume and cosmetic products from various brands, more than 6,000 liters (about 1,585 gallons) of fragrance concentrates, 18,000 liters (about 4,755 gallons) of isopropyl alcohol and 4,400 liters (about 1,162 gallons) of propylene glycol.
“Containers and manufacturing components, labels and watermarks were also seized,” police said.
Investigators also confiscated 30 filling machines, cash, bank cards, a vehicle, laptops, mobile phones, records and other materials considered relevant evidence.
“The total volume of seized counterfeit products and materials connected with their production amounts to around 130 metric tons, with a total value exceeding UAH 235 million (about $4.9 million),” police said.
Investigators are working to identify everyone involved in organizing and operating the alleged scheme.
A pretrial investigation is underway under Part 3 of Article 229 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, covering the illegal use of trademarks, company names and protected indications of origin, and Part 1 of Article 209, covering the laundering of property obtained through criminal activity.
In May, Ukrainian law enforcement officers also shut down an underground operation in Kyiv that produced counterfeit alcoholic beverages under well-known brand names.