No license, no taxes: ESBU exposes a network of illegal gas stations in the Odesa region

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Odesa region have completed a pre-trial investigation into a 29-year-old resident of the Bolhrad district who organized a network of illegal gas stations in several settlements. The case materials have been referred to court.

The investigation established that the owner of the gas stations, acting without a license or business registration, purchased fuel of unknown origin at significantly lower prices. He subsequently sold the gasoline in the Odesa region. To do this, he unauthorizedly installed refueling equipment, fuel storage tanks, and fuel dispensers in roadside areas.

The illegal gas stations operated in the village of Avanhard and in Odesa—without proper fuel quality control and without paying taxes. Sales were conducted in cash, without reflecting the transactions in accounting records.

Detectives conducted authorized searches at all locations, seizing 35 tons of fuel and lubricants, including diesel fuel, gasoline, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as fuel dispensers, storage tanks, equipment, and structures used for the operation of the illegal gas stations. The gas stations have been completely dismantled. The total value of the seized assets is UAH 4 million.

By court order, the seized property has been placed under arrest to ensure compensation for the damages caused to the state. The individual has been served a notice of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, sale, or transportation for the purpose of sale of excisable goods). The indictment has been referred to the court.

The sanction of the article provides for a penalty in the form of a fine, with the confiscation and destruction of illegally manufactured goods.

Operational support is provided by detectives of the Strategic Economic Protection Department of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Odesa region. Procedural guidance is provided by prosecutors of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.

It should be noted that, according to Article 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.