The Security Service of Ukraine in Zaporizzhya region uncovered large-scale production of law-quality ethanol, which was the raw material for hazardous for citizens’ health and life counterfeited alcohol sold in retail chains.

Allegedly, a group of local residents from Melitopol and Zaporizzhya arranged illegal production of ethanol. They set up full-cycle equipment for surrogate production in underground labs at their households and rented warehouses.

Part of the products was sold to underground alcohol producers across Ukraine. Another part of the surrogate was used by suspects to produce counterfeited alcohol beverages and sold it in retail chains by themselves.

According to the investigation, every month the labs produced up to 30 tons of surrogate. During the searches at the production premises, the law enforcement found over 28,000 liters of ethanol, aroma additives and the equipment.

The seized counterfeited products cost UAH 3,000,000 (USD 110,000).

Measures to remove counterfeit products from retail chains are ongoing.

Within the framework of criminal proceeding under Part 3 Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the issue of serving the suspects notices of suspicion is being solved.

The operation was conducted jointly with the Main Directorate of State Fiscal Service in Zaporizzhya region under the supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.