Three Volyn residents charged over illegal alcohol and cigarette production: indictments sent to the court

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Volyn region have completed a pre-trial investigation into the illegal manufacture and sale of counterfeit alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. The indictments have been sent to court.

The investigation established that residents of Lutsk set up underground workshops for the production of alcohol in the basements and utility rooms of their private properties. The illegally produced alcohol was poured into glass bottles of various brands, labeled with counterfeit excise tax stamps, and sold to regular customers.

During the searches, detectives seized approximately 700 liters of alcohol and counterfeit alcoholic beverages, production and bottling equipment, nearly 700 packs of cigarettes without excise stamps, and liquids used in electronic cigarettes.

It has also been established that some of the suspects had been previously held criminally liable for committing similar offenses.

ESBU detectives served them with notices of suspicion under Parts 1 and 2 of the Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, and sale of excisable goods) and under Part 1 of Article. 199 (purchase and storage of counterfeit excise tax stamps for the purpose of use in the sale of goods).

Procedural oversight is being carried out by prosecutors of the Volyn Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Please note that, in accordance with 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 their guilt is proved through legal procedure and established by a court verdict of guilty.