In Odessa, three organizers of illegal gas stations were fined

Three residents of Odesa were each fined 63,750 hryvnias for operating two illegal gas stations in the city’s industrial zone. They were also ordered to surrender more than three metric tons of illegal fuel for destruction.

This is stated in the verdict of the Primorsky District Court of Odesa.

In court, all three defendants fully admitted their guilt. They explained that they committed the crime due to financial hardship and had intended to legalize the business in the future.

Law enforcement officials proved that in July 2024, the three Odessa residents, without the proper license or state registration, set up a scheme to purchase, transport, and sell gasoline and diesel fuel at retail. To do this, they set up two modular fuel dispensing stations in an industrial zone in Odesa and hired employees. 

The equipment for dispensing fuel was leased. According to the court, the owner of the modular fuel dispensing stations was unaware that there was no license to trade in fuel.

The court case states that one of the defendants coordinated operations and managed the finances, while the other two ensured fuel supplies and paid the employees. Profits were divided equally.

In November 2025, detectives from the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine shut down the illegal gas stations. During searches, law enforcement officers seized more than 2,635 liters of gasoline and 799 liters of diesel fuel. An expert examination determined that the fuel did not meet state standards. Detectives also seized 6,290 hryvnias in cash, a notebook with records of sales volumes, cell phones, and notepads.

Юлія Калабайда