As a result of operative-searching and investigative activities carried out throughout Georgia, representatives of Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, during the month of January of 2026, exposed 16 facts of storage, transportation and sale of large amount of excisable goods subject to marking, without excise marks.

18 individuals had been brought to the criminal liability, 8 of whom were detained.

As a result of investigative activities, total number of 18 185 boxes of different brands of non-excised cigarettes, intended for sale, were seized from the persons exposed in crime. Total market value of the seized goods exceeds GEL 117 780.

Investigation is underway under the Article 200 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which as a type of sentence, envisages imprisonment from four to six years.