02.11.2024 Investigations

How the Servant of the People Arakhamia protects the interests of the defendant in the NABU case Kaufman

Borys Kaufman’s company has acquired another cigarette distributor, Volyntabac. According to media reports, the acquisition of such a significant asset cost Kaufman $8 million. This is surprising, as the man is involved in several criminal proceedings, including the Odesa airport and the legalization of more than UAH 1.3 billion in the Tedis case.

This acquisition not only strengthens Kaufman’s monopoly position – his company DL SOLUTION already controls about 45% of the tobacco distribution market, and with Volyntabac, this figure will increase by an additional 10%. But that’s not the most interesting thing: the structure of the new owners points to possible shadow schemes.

Who really controls Volyntabac?

According to official registers, since July 25, several financial companies have become owners of Volyntabac:

  • FC Madrid LLC – 54.55%;
  • Liard Finance LLC – 9.09%;
  • Koloprim LLC – 9.09%.

These companies are engaged in lending and factoring, which raises doubts about their interest in the tobacco market. However, if we take into account that the presence of financial companies in the structure of a cigarette distributor may be part of a scheme to collect cash for conversion centers, the situation takes on a different meaning.

Black market tobacco distribution scheme: how does it work?

Usually, tobacco factories sell their products to distributors officially. However, at this stage, the product and documentation may be separated. Cigarettes are often sold for cash, and an uncontrolled circulation of funds is brought to the market. Documents are “sold” to companies that accumulate virtual batches of goods and then liquidate them. Cash flows to “conversion centers” where it is sold at the market rate of exchange.

This is where financial companies and “drops” get involved, through which cash cigarettes are sold – including Telegram channels. The market for such illegal cigarette transactions is estimated at tens of millions of dollars.

Who is behind this chain?

Financial market sources claim that the real beneficiary of FC Madrid and Liard Finance is Ihor Stakovichenko. The latter is in a close consortium with Kaufman and it is he who is behind the acquisition of Volyntabac to organize shadow distribution.

The white part of the market will continue to be served by DL SOLUTION, while the cash scheme will be taken over by Volyntabac.

The key question: where did $8 million for the deal come from?

The amount of $8 million raises questions: after all, the financial reports of FC Madrid and Liard Finance for 2022-2023 show almost unprofitable results.

Who is helping Kaufman to capture the tobacco market?

According to journalists, after the start of the full-scale invasion, the head of the presidential faction “Servant of the People” David Arakhamia crossed the border at least four times using Kaufman’s cars and his Tedis Ukraine.

Investigators report that in August 2022, Arakhamia and his wife left Ukraine for Moldova in a black Toyota SUV owned by Borys Kaufman’s wife. The couple returned in a Mercedes bus owned by a company co-owned by Kaufman himself. It is one of the largest distributors of tobacco products.

What is the connection?

When asked about his possible dependence on the businessman, Arakhamia noted that he has known the Kaufman family for more than a decade, and last saw them at the Tedis owner’s birthday party in Odesa in November.

Noting that he did not see a “great betrayal” in this situation, he indicated that he was ready to stop using the Kaufman car at the request of the public.

Given this history, it does not seem surprising why Kaufman’s interests are so successfully lobbied by the ruling elite. And any investigations are stopped at the stage of initially entering information into the URPTI.

In addition to Arakhamia, Kaufman’s Tedis activities are also lobbied in parliamentary circles by : Danylo Hetmantsev, the “supervisor” of the tax service, and top representatives of law enforcement agencies. For example, the Prosecutor General’s Office is lobbied by Kostin’s former deputy Verbytskyi, who, although officially retired from the service, continues to control the illegal market.

According to our materials, the BES in Odesa region opened proceedings No. 72024171100000002 on the grounds of Part 2 of Article 199, Parts 1, 2 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, as well as No. 72024161020000007 under Part 3 of Article 212 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

But given that Kaufman has such good patrons as Arakhamia, it is unlikely that the investigation will move forward.

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