Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed officials of a gas station operator in tax evasion on a particularly large scale.

It has been established that the company's employees organized illegal trafficking of fuels and lubricants. They bought counterfeit diesel fuel and gasoline of A 92 and A 95 grades which they subsequently resold through a network of their own gas stations in one of the regions. The fuel was purchased without documents confirming the quality characteristics of the fuel and the business activity was carried out without paying excise tax.

Such actions of the company's officials led to tax evasion in the amount of about UAH 30 million.

The detectives of the ESBU conducted searches at the company's administrative, warehouse, office premises and gas stations. More than 5.8 million liters of illegally purchased fuel, financial and business documents on relations with contractors, accounting and tax records were seized. The estimated value of the seized fuel is over UAH 260 million. Preparations are currently underway to conduct forensic examinations and identify the full range of persons involved in the illegal activity.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings on the grounds of criminal offenses stipulated by Part 2 Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage with intent to sell excisable goods committed by a group of persons) and Part 3 Art. 212 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (tax evasion, duties (mandatory payments) in especially large amounts) is being conducted by detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine under the procedural supervision of prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's Office.