ESBU in Volyn dismantled large-scale underground alcohol production

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Volyn region have exposed the illegal production and sale of counterfeit alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

The pre-trial investigation established that residents of Lutsk set up underground workshops for alcohol production in the basements and utility rooms of their private properties. The suspects poured the illegally manufactured alcohol into glass bottles of various brands, labeled them with counterfeit excise stamps, and sold the products to regular customers.

During authorized searches, detectives seized approximately 1,500 liters of alcohol and spirits, equipment for manufacturing and bottling, nearly 3,000 packs of cigarettes without excise tax stamps, counterfeit excise stamps, and a vehicle used to transport the illicit goods.

The estimated value of the seized assets is approximately UAH 2 million. The property has been placed under seizure.

It has been established that the suspects were previously held criminally liable for committing similar offenses.

A pre-trial investigation is currently ongoing under Part 2 of the Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacturing, storage, and sale of excise goods committed by a person previously convicted under this article) and Part 1 of the Art. 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal storage of excise tax stamps for the purpose of use).

Operational support is provided by the Strategic Investigations Department in the Volyn Region of the National Police of Ukraine. The case is being prosecuted by the Volyn Regional Prosecutor's Office.