Illegal sale of gasoline and diesel in the Kharkiv region: ESBU completes pre-trial investigation

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Poltava region have completed a pre-trial investigation into the illegal purchase, storage, and sale of fuel in one of the villages of the Kharkiv region. The indictment has been sent to court.

The investigation established that a 58-year-old resident of the region organized the operation of a gas station without obtaining the relevant license or state registration as a business entity. In December 2025, she leased a gas station and organized the illegal sale of gasoline and diesel.

The fuel was of questionable origin and was not accompanied by any documents confirming its quality or legality. Purchases were made from unidentified individuals. Sales were conducted for cash, without the use of cash registers or the issuance of fiscal receipts, indicating systematic tax evasion.

During the searches, detectives seized the remaining fuel, while surface containers and underground tanks were sealed. The suspect was notified of suspicion under part 1 of art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal purchase, storage, and sale of excise goods).

The materials of the criminal proceedings have been sent to the court. Procedural supervision is carried out by the Poltava Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to art. 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed 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's verdict of guilty.