Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Economic Security Bureau  in Volyn region have completed an investigation into an organized criminal group that was engaged in the illegal manufacture and wholesale of alcoholic beverages. The indictment against the individuals has now been sent to court.

The investigation identified five Ukrainian citizens who organized an underground workshop in Volyn region. Using ethyl alcohol and counterfeit excise tax stamps, the individuals produced alcoholic beverages of well-known brands in a rented garage in Lutsk.

Subsequently, the illegally manufactured excisable products were sold in Volyn region only in large quantities. The buyers were not aware of the origin of the alcoholic beverages.

The production of excisable goods was carried out without a license and permits. They were not registered as business entities.

During the searches of the clandestine workshop, the detectives of the ESBU found and seized about 1500 bottles of various brands of counterfeit alcohol, more than 11 thousand counterfeit excise tax stamps, as well as equipment for their illegal production.

The illegal production of alcoholic beverages has been stopped.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceeding on the grounds of a criminal offense under Part 3 of Art. 28, Part 1 and Part 2 of Art. 204, Part 3 of Art. 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine was conducted by detectives of the ESBU Territorial Department in Volyn region with the operational support of the SSU Office in Volyn region and under the procedural supervision of prosecutors of the Volyn regional prosecutor's office.

The sanction of the aforementioned articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of eight to twelve years with confiscation of property.

Note: Pursuant to Art. 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved by law and established by a court verdict of guilty.

Recently, detectives of the Territorial Department ESBU in Volyn region in cooperation with the Lutsk district police department of the Main National Police in Volyn region, exposed a resident of Dnipro who was paying with counterfeit banknotes in retail establishments in Lutsk. https://esbu.gov.ua/en/news/esbu-in-the-volyn-region-exposed-counterfeiters