The SBU officers in Zaporizzhya region blocked large-scale supply of dangerous to life and health of people counterfeit alcohol to a retailer network.

Allegedly, four residents of Vasylkivskyi district arranged an underground lab of counterfeit alcohol on the territory of one of their private households. The suspects purchased raw materials from a local clandestine manufacture. The finished products were sold under the guise of well-known brands via trusted middlemen to local retailers and restaurants in Zaporizzhya region.

According to the SBU investigation, the suspects were producing and selling surrogate worth over UAH 500,000 (USD 20,000) per month. The SBU seized 600 litres of questionable quality spirit and over 500 litres of finished products during the searches of underground lab and local retailers. According to the preliminary estimates, the value of the seized “goods” comprises UAH 300,000 (USD 14,000).

The issue of serving to the suspects notices of suspicion of unlawful manufacturing, storage, sale or transportation for selling 

purposes of excisable goods (P. 3 Art. 199, P.2 Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) is being decided.

The seizure of counterfeit alcohol from local retailers is ongoing. The operation was conducted jointly with the National Police investigators under the supervision of Prosecutor's Office.