The Security Service of Ukraine has blocked a large-scale mechanism of manufacturing and sale of alcohol beverages with counterfeit excise labels in Lviv region.

Reportedly, the owners and leaders of one of the private distilling companies of the region set up illegal scheme for producing unaccounted goods marked with counterfeit excise stamps. The illicit liquor was sold via retail trade networks of Lviv region.

Law enforcement officers seized 75 000 bottles of alcohol with forged excise stamps, cash of different currencies amounting to almost UAH 2,000,000 (USD 56,000,000) and accounting fraud records during 25 searches at places of manufacturing, storage and sale of unaccounted excise beverages, as well as at the offenders’ places of residence.

The criminal proceeding was initiated under Part 1 Art.199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The urgent investigative actions are ongoing to identify all persons involved in the crime. The possible law enforcement involvement in the illegal activity is also being checked.

The criminals were exposed with the help of the SBU Office in Lviv region operatives under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of Lviv region.