In the Odesa region, a court passed a sentence on the organizer of a network of illegal gas stations: property worth 4 million UAH was seized
A court found a 29-year-old resident of the Bolhrad district, who organized the operation of a network of illegal gas stations in Odesa and the region, guilty of the illegal sale of fuel and lubricants.
Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Odesa region established that the man, without the corresponding license or state registration of a business entity, purchased fuel of unknown origin at prices significantly below market rates and subsequently sold it to consumers.
To conduct the illegal activity, the suspect unauthorizedly set up gas stations in roadside areas. There, he installed reservoirs for fuel storage, fuel dispensing units, and other special equipment.
The illegal gas stations operated in the settlement of Avanhard and in Odesa—without proper control over fuel quality or payment of taxes. Settlements were carried out in cash, and operations were not reflected in the accounting records.
During authorized searches, ESBU detectives seized 35 tonnes of fuel and lubricants, in particular diesel fuel, gasoline, and liquefied petroleum gas. Fuel dispensing units, reservoirs, equipment, and structures used for the operation of the illegal gas stations were also seized.
The gas stations have been completely dismantled. The total value of the seized property amounts to 4 million UAH. By court decision, an arrest has been imposed on it to ensure the reimbursement of the damage caused to the state.
The court found the man guilty of committing a criminal offense provided for by Part 1 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—illegal acquisition, storage, transportation, and sale of illegally manufactured exciseable goods.
The suspect was sentenced to a punishment in the form of a fine with the confiscation of the equipment. In addition, 14.1 thousand liters of the seized diesel fuel were transferred for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
