In Odesa region, the SBU blocked a large-scale production and sale of counterfeit alcohol. Law enforcement documented the sale for UAH 10 m. (USD 357,142).

SBU operatives established that the production of counterfeit was organized by a group of people in a regional center of Izmail district.

The offenders supplied the finished products under the guise of well-known brands to freight outlets in the region. According to preliminary estimates, criminals managed to sell counterfeit alcohol for almost UAH 10 m. (USD 357,142). Due to the SBU investigation, the relevant authorities are seizing poor quality beverages from the shops.

During the authorized searches of the underground workshops and places of storage, law enforcement officers confiscated:

• 2,800 liters of poor quality alcohol;
• 1,600 liters of finished products prepared for sale;
• aromatic additives and equipment for the manufacture of counterfeits worth over UAH 1.3 m. (USD 46,428);

The evidence was sent for examination.

Currently, the organizer received suspicion notice of illegal manufacture, storage, sale or transportation for the purpose of sale of excisable goods. The SBU is going to serve other offenders the suspicion notices.

The operation was coordinated by the SBU Main Directorate for CI Protection of the State's Economic Interests jointly with the SBU Office in Odesa region, investigators of the State Tax Service in Odesa region, under the supervision of Odesa Region Prosecutor's Office.