Detectives of the Territorial Department of the ESBU in Kyiv together with the employees of the SSU in Chernihiv region exposed a state-owned distillery in Chernihiv region that was clandestinely producing excisable goods. Almost 100 tonnes of alcohol were seized.

In addition underground tanks and barrels with raw materials allegedly used for the production of alcohol were found hidden on the territory of the plant.

According to the investigation, officials of the state-owned enterprise purchased raw materials (corn, additives, etc.) for cash from controlled business entitieswhich were then used to produce alcohol at the plant. The alcohol-containing products were then transported to the capital.

As a result of the searches, the detectives of the ESBU together with the employees of the SSU in Chernihiv region found and seized almost 100 tonnes of illegally produced alcohol on the territory of the enterprise.

Also a truck heading towards Kyiv was stopped at one of the checkpoints in Chernihiv region. The truck was carrying 25 tonnes of illegally produced alcohol.

The vehicle was equipped with a so-called safety button and a complex mechanism that changes the chemical composition of the contents of the barrels.

In particular, a drip was connected to each of the 5 containers, and after pressing the "safety button", chemicals would be added to the barrels which would turn their contents into glass cleaner.

During the inspection of the car the driver tried to press the safety button but law enforcement officers managed to stop him.

The illegally produced alcohol was seized.

It was also established that employees of the Main Department of the State Tax Service in Chernihiv region were involved in the illegal activity.

For reference: The plant's licence was cancelled six months ago when employees of the State Tax Service's excise department detected serious violations in the company's operations. This was followed by litigation. The Administrative court suspended the decision of the State Tax Service to revoke the licence at the company's request, but the court of Appeal overturned the decision of the first instance court.

As a result the plant did not have a licence to manufacture products and its equipment had to be sealed. The plant is currently managed by the State property fund of Ukraine.

The pre-trial investigation under Part 2 Art. 204 of the Criminal Code is being conducted by detectives of the Territorial Department of the ESBU in Kyiv with the SSU in Chernihiv region and the procedural supervision of prosecutors of the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office.

Note: According to 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 his or her guilt is proved in accordance with the law and established by a court verdict of guilty.