Smuggler Valery Khomenko: A Cigarette Al Capone with a Russian Passport
It's no secret that over the past 10 years, Ukraine has become the world leader in cigarette production and smuggling. This is according to an investigation by the portal PolitInform.
Valery Khomenko. The Story of One "Family"
During the fugitive president's reign, the word "family" became a nominal concept, just as it was in the Chicago gangster syndicate, the Capone family. However, the concept of "family" lingers in our daily lives and influences them in one way or another, even though more than eight years have passed since the fall of the criminal regime in our country.
One family from Yenakiyeve created a state-run smuggling system. The Capone family couldn't even dream of such success. Any systemic business that begins operating in Ukraine immediately blames the family.
Almost everyone worked for the family system: customs, tax authorities, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the courts...
The contraband was also varied: alcohol, tobacco products, amber, medicines….
Smuggling has become part of state policy.
And the smuggling of tobacco products played (and still plays) an extraordinary role in it.
The Revolution of Dignity shook the system. But the Revolution of Dignity wasn't for everyone.
Global industry giants represented in Ukraine such as Philip Morris, British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco, and JTI have been given the opportunity to change the rules of doing business.
But…
But the “family apostates” began to divide, squeeze, and destroy what the “family” had divided, squeezed, and destroyed.
And this also concerned the system of production and smuggling of tobacco products.
The Donetsk factory "Khamadei" occupied a special place in the "family" business. It was a leader in shadow production and exports. Founders: Renat Akhmetov's partner and Boris Kolesnikov — crime boss Mikhail Lyashko (shot in Crimea in 2015) and Valery Khomenko (more on him later).
In 2014-2020, as the textbooks say, internecine strife began.
Who among the prominent politicians and businessmen hasn't tried to light a cigarette with smuggled tobacco? Our colleagues have already published hundreds of articles, reports, and investigations.
But a "light" can still stupefy anyone.
Consider this: in 2021, state budget losses due to the shadow tobacco market were estimated at UAH 15,5 billion.
With each subsequent change of power, certain subjects disappear and new ones arise.
Just like a hundred years ago in Chicago, in the modern state people disappear, "tobacco" laws are lobbied for, corrupt officials receive bribes—the family "system" works.
The system of "family" values
While most international manufacturers in Ukraine operate under the "public-private partnership" rules, tobacco giants have become the largest taxpayers, fees, and major employers.
However, the owners of the Khamaday State Enterprise cannot seem to abandon their "family" values. While continuing to operate in Donetsk and supporting the quasi-republic's leadership, the owners have gone further. They opened a new production plant in occupied Crimea.
Our friends from cyber intelligence tracked it down and found out that the cynicism of the "family" followers did not end there.
Valeriy Khomenko, co-founder of the state-owned Khamaday Group (the company was re-registered in Kramatorsk, but its production facilities remained in Donetsk), has opened three more cigarette factories in Ukraine over the past six years, and in 2019, he received Russian citizenship.
But at the same time, it registers and deploys sales of products through the Papell Tobacco Company LLC, registered in Rostov-on-Don.
In 2021, Khomenko's organizations became the undisputed leaders in tobacco smuggling through Ukraine to Europe. The products were shipped from Donetsk through Russia, then through the Kharkiv region to the western border.
The "family" system continues to operate.
All 144 intellectual property objects and trademarks produced by factories in Donetsk, occupied Crimea and Ukraine are registered to V.G. Khomenko.
After the death of his business partner, the change of two political regimes, and the loss of control of the Yenakiyevo "family," Valery Khomenko began to create his own "family."
But for some reason in the capital of Ukraine – comfortable Kyiv.
Financing balls, shells and missiles against our people.
Cigarette balls
It probably goes without saying that for systemic smuggling to function, there must be coordinated work between the manufacturer, raw materials, labor, distribution, and logistics systems, as well as the systemic blindness of all regulatory bodies.
Much has been written about the role of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, the State Medical Insurance Agency, the State Tax Service, and other acronyms in corrupt smuggling schemes. We won't dwell on this.
However, it is necessary to separately highlight lobbyists – people’s representatives.
Still lobbies for the interests of Hamadei Kum Viktor Medvedchuk and a member of the Parliament's Tax Committee from the Servant of the People party, Maryan Zablotsky.
Is it possible that today's elected representatives also have a penchant for "family" values?
Will the shadowy Al Khomenko be able to continue to promote “family” values?
We found information that in July 2021, ONTARIO CLOSED NON-DIVERSIFIED VENTURE CORPORATE INVESTMENT FUND and six other related companies were registered. These companies, managed by HEDGE INVEST Asset Management LLC, used fictitious directors to minimize tax payments and siphon off funds.
The story of Al Capone teaches us that the most notorious gangster of the 20th century was accused and convicted precisely for tax evasion. And the system was impartial.
And during martial law, engaging in counterfeiting, smuggling, financing the enemy and evading taxes is either suicide or criminal arrogance.
Add to this the elite life on the Pechersk hills and all the attributes of a "crime king":
- A motorcade of elite Mercedes cars when moving around the city;
- Escort group of bodyguards;
- Escort of a "special" blonde.
It's worth noting the "special" aspect of this person—Olga Akdamar (see Zagorei). A very interesting young woman from Russia, she received a New Year's gift of Ukrainian citizenship on December 31, 2013. Her main occupation is accompanying executives and top officials. She also settled in an elite neighborhood on the Pechersk Hills.
During the war, a smuggler's girlfriend never ceases to boast of her luxurious life and passion for power, receiving information and supplies.
Cigarette-smoking Al Khomenko lights cigarettes from the pockets of ordinary Ukrainians every day and knowingly finances the infidels.
Valery Khomenko. Afterword
Apparently, throughout history, smuggling and the criminal underworld have always been the same concept. Al Capone was the kingpin of bootlegging in the 20s and 30s in the United States, buying up or intimidating police, officials, and politicians. But time and the law have put everything in its place. And children in American schools are now learning the history of the Mafia.
We understand that this may turn out to be another journalistic investigation.
However, the authors note, they believe that weapons are "words." And this "word" will certainly help ensure that the history of Ukrainian smuggling and corruption is confined to history textbooks.
translation Skelet.Org
War for the Prosperity of Hamadei: How the Family's Tobacco Company Works on Two Fronts
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