Gas stations on wheels: ESBU in Volyn exposed an illegal fuel business

 Diesel was mixed with gas condensate, dyed, and sold in significant batches. Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Volyn region stopped an illegal fuel business in Ustyluh.

The investigation established that the fuel was manufactured using artisanal methods in a specially equipped garage, and the finished products were stored in containers. It could be purchased directly on-site or ordered with delivery through specially created groups in messengers. For transportation, cargo minibuses equipped with tanks and fuel pumping systems were used.

During the searches, over 33 thousand liters of fuel, gas condensate, and liquids with signs of fuel and lubricant materials were seized. Two minibuses, tanks, equipment for storing, dispensing, and pumping fuel, rough accounting records, and cash were also seized.

The total value of the seized property is over 2 million UAH. By a court order, an arrest has been imposed on it.

The pretrial investigation is ongoing under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 204 (illegal manufacturing, storage, transportation, and sale of exciseable goods) and Part 2 of Article 212 (tax evasion) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The criminal offense was exposed based on the materials of the Department of the SSU in the Volyn region. Procedural guidance is carried out by prosecutors of the Volyn Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent of committing a crime until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court verdict.