Counterfeit alcohol from an underground workshop was supplied across Ukraine: ESBU stopped the activity of an organized group

 A large-scale illegal production of alcoholic beverages was exposed by detectives of the Main Unit of Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine. The counterfeit products without excise tax stamps were poured into five-liter plastic bottles and ten-liter polymer bags with taps and packed in cardboard boxes. The products were sold across Ukraine.

The investigation established that the members of the organized group set up a full cycle of illegal manufacturing, storage, transportation, and sale of exciseable goods.

The alcoholic beverages were manufactured from alcohol of unknown origin. Dyes and flavorings were used to give the products the appropriate color and taste. Subsequently, the counterfeit alcohol was poured into 10-liter polymer bags with taps placed in cardboard boxes, as well as into 5-liter plastic bottles. The products were sold under the guise of vodka products.

ESBU detectives conducted a large-scale special operation on the territory of the Volyn region. Within the framework of investigative measures, over 14 searches were carried out in places of illegal production and storage of alcohol and spirits, in vehicles used to transport the products, as well as at the residential addresses of the involved individuals.

During the searches, significant volumes of illegally manufactured alcoholic products and spirits of unknown origin, equipment, packaging containers, dyes, and flavorings were seized. Vehicles used for transporting the counterfeit goods were also seized.

The estimated value of the seized products and property amounts to over 4.3 million UAH.

The pretrial investigation is carried out on the grounds of criminal offenses provided for by Part 3 of Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacturing, storage, sale, or transportation of exciseable goods, committed by an organized group) and Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (legalization of property obtained by criminal means, committed by an organized group).

Currently, the full circle of persons involved in the organization of the illegal production and sale of exciseable goods is being established. Investigative actions are ongoing.

Procedural guidance — prosecutors of the Office of the General Prosecutor.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered 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 verdict.