Based on the ESBU materials, the organizer of an illegal gas station network will face trial in the Odesa region

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Odesa region have completed a pre-trial investigation into a resident of the Berezivka district who organized an illegal network of gas stations across several settlements. The case materials have been referred to the court.

The investigation established that the owner of the gas stations, operating without a license or business registration, purchased fuel of unknown origin at significantly lower prices. He subsequently sold the gasoline in the Odesa region. To facilitate this, he illegally installed refueling equipment, storage tanks, and fuel dispensers in roadside areas.

The illegal gas stations operated in the cities of Berezivka and Artsyz, the settlements of Dobroslav and Bessarabske, and the village of Buyalyk.

Detectives conducted authorized searches at all locations, seizing nearly 30 tons of fuel and lubricants, including diesel fuel, gasoline, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Additionally, fuel dispensers, storage tanks, equipment, and structures used for the operation of the illegal gas stations were seized. The gas stations have been completely dismantled. The total value of the seized assets is UAH 5.6 million.

By court order, the seized property has been placed under arrest to ensure the recovery of damages caused to the state.

The man was notified of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, sale, or transportation for sale of excise goods). The indictment has been referred to the court.

The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of a fine, with confiscation and destruction of the illegally manufactured goods.

Operational support is provided by the detectives of the Strategic Protection of the Economy Department of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Odesa region. Procedural guidance is carried out by prosecutors of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court's verdict of guilty.

Systemic efforts to combat illegal fuel trafficking continue. The ESBU’s priority task for 2026 is a complete market cleanup and the creation of a level playing field for legal businesses. Find more details about the ESBU’s work on the fuel market shadow reduction via the link.