A large-scale operation producing counterfeit alcohol was uncovered in Ternopil

The Economic Security Bureau has notified a businessman of his status as a suspect for organizing a full-scale operation in Ternopil to produce counterfeit alcohol under the guise of well-known global brands. 

The investigation established that the suspect rented warehouse space for the mass production of the counterfeit alcohol, which was bottled in 5- and 10-liter plastic containers, “bag-in-box” packaging, and glass bottles. The products were sold in large batches via online platforms and messaging apps throughout Ukraine.

During the searches, detectives seized industrial equipment, significant quantities of ethyl alcohol, ready-made mixtures, and a large number of counterfeit labels of well-known brands. Law enforcement also discovered “rough” accounting records, mobile phones, and computer equipment, confirming the scale of the illegal activity. The organizer has been formally charged, and the issue of imposing a preventive measure is currently being decided. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing to identify all individuals involved in the operation of the illegal business.

Earlier, the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine reported that as part of efforts to bring the fuel market out of the shadows, the number of illegal gas stations in several regions has significantly decreased. According to the agency’s estimates, this has generated additional revenue for the state budget and positively impacted the transparency of the fuel market.

The Holosiivskyi District Court of Kyiv handed down a verdict to Vitalii Chernenko, a former employee of the Economic Security Bureau, who attempted to extort a huge sum from business owners.