The SBU exposed an interregional sale of poor-quality counterfeit alcohol. Every month, the organizers illegally received almost UAH 2 m. (USD 71,428). The offenders used part of the money to finance criminal groups.

Allegedly, three residents of Mariupol organized the illegal business. The offenders set up underground production and sale of counterfeit alcohol. Using the forged documents, they purchased alcohol for illegal production at one of the enterprises of Vinnytsia region.

The offenders transported the goods by their own tank trucks to the city of Mariupol. They manufactured counterfeit products in specially equipped garages.

After production, the dealers sold the goods via affiliated retail outlets in Donetsk region.

The law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle while transporting almost 3,000 liters of alcohol.

During the searches of the offenders’ residences, places of manufacture and storage of counterfeit goods, the SBU found a wholesale batch of counterfeit alcohol worth almost UAH 400,000 (USD 14,285).

The offenders received suspicion notices of:  

• Criminal offence committed by a group of people, or a group of persons upon prior conspiracy, or a criminal organization
• Unlawful manufacture, storage, sale or transportation for sale of excisable goods by an organized group.

The SBU filed the materials of the proceedings to court. The incriminated article provides for imprisonment from three to five years.

The operation was carried out jointly with investigators of the National Police under the supervision of Donetsk Region Prosecutor's Office.