Unsanitary production and sale of counterfeit alcohol disguised as souvenirs: ESBU refers the indictment to the court

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region have referred an indictment to court against a local resident who organized the illegal manufacturing and sale of counterfeit alcohol.

The investigation established that the accused organized the purchase, storage, and production of surrogate alcohol for subsequent sale. The bottling process was carried out in unsanitary conditions, using reused glass bottles.

The counterfeit beverages were labeled and marked with "souvenir" excise stamps bearing the inscription "Promotional Gift Stamp. Souvenir." These illicit products were sold at the Kalynivskyi market and other retail outlets across Chernivtsi.

During authorized searches, detectives seized over 1,600 liters of ethyl alcohol, approximately 1,100 liters of finished alcoholic beverages, as well as bottling equipment, packaging materials, and handwritten records.

The case has been sent to court, and the suspect faces charges under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding the illegal manufacture and sale of excisable goods.

The estimated value of the seized items exceeds UAH 1 million.

The suspect's actions have been classified under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, and sale of excisable goods). He faces up to 5 years of imprisonment, along with the confiscation and destruction of the illegal products and equipment.

Operational support for the investigation was provided by detectives of the Strategic Economic Protection Unit of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Chernivtsi region.

The Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office performed the procedural management of the case.