Photo: BES press service.
BES exposes large-scale scheme of selling counterfeit fuel worth millions of hryvnias
Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) in Kyiv region have completed a pre-trial investigation against the organiser of an underground network of petrol stations. It has been established that illegally produced petrol and diesel fuel was sold through these stations without any permits or quality certificates. This is reported by Time Ukraine Israel portal, citing the BES press service.
Investigation and key findings
The investigation revealed that the counterfeit fuel was sold through illegal petrol stations that operated without cash registers. During searches at three such stations, detectives seized the fuel:
- 70 tonnes of counterfeit diesel fuel;
- 18 tonnes of A-95 petrol with an estimated value of UAH 4.5 million;
- Three modular stations used to refuel cars.
In addition, the detectives confiscated draft accounting, computer equipment and financial and business documents that became material evidence in the case.
Legal qualification and further steps
The organiser of the illegal network, a resident of Kyiv region, was served a notice of suspicion under Part 1 Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – illegal manufacture, storage or sale of excisable goods. The investigation materials together with the indictment were submitted to court.
Operational support of the case
The investigation was supported by officers of the Strategic Investigations Department in Kyiv region of the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police. Prosecutors of the Kyiv Region Prosecutor’s Office provided procedural guidance.
This case demonstrates the intensification of the fight against illegal trafficking of excisable goods, which not only causes significant losses to the state but also endangers the safety of citizens.
