A network of underground gas stations exposed in Odesa region

A case against a resident of the Berezivska community who organized an illegal network of gas stations has been brought to court in Odesa. Law enforcement officers seized more than 33 thousand liters of counterfeit fuel worth more than UAH 3 million.

This was reported by the press service of the Bureau of Economic Security in Odesa region.

The Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine has completed an investigation and submitted an indictment to the court against a 27-year-old resident of the Berezivska community who organized an illegal network of gas stations in Odesa region. According to the investigation, the man was not registered as an entrepreneur, but for more than a year he had been running an illegal fuel sales business.

He bought gasoline and diesel fuel of dubious origin from another person involved in the criminal proceedings at low prices and then sold it at gas stations in Berezivka and Dobroslav without any permits.

To systematize his work, the entrepreneur used special software to control, account for and sell illegal fuel. He hired two people to operate the gas stations and sell gasoline and diesel directly to customers. The employees were paid unofficially in cash "in envelopes".

Law enforcement officers conducted a series of searches at the illegal gas stations. As a result, more than 33,000 liters of A-95 gasoline and diesel fuel, equipment for the operation of gas stations, 16 large containers for storing fuels and lubricants, draft records and cash were seized. The total value of the seized property and fuel is estimated at UAH 3.4 million.

The collected evidence allowed to serve the man a notice of suspicion of committing a criminal offense stipulated by Part 1 Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - illegal manufacture, storage and sale of excisable goods. The indictment has already been sent to court.

The law provides for punishment for the committed offense in the form of a significant fine with mandatory confiscation and destruction of illegally manufactured goods.

In addition, a resident of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district was buying gasoline and diesel of unknown origin at low prices during 2024 without having a license or registering as an entrepreneur. To establish sales, he set up illegal gas stations in trucks and non-residential premises, through which he sold fuel in Tatarbunary and Spaske villages.

Анна Бальчінос