Economic Security Bureau Shuts Down 10 Illegal Gas Stations

The Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine (BEB) has taken decisive action this March, leading to the closure of 10 illegal gas stations (GS) in three regions of the country: Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Poltava. This operation is a vital move in the ongoing fight against the illegal fuel trade, which threatens not only the economic security of the state but also the health of consumers.

In Dnipropetrovsk region, seven illegal gas stations were shut down in cities such as Dnipro, Pavlohrad, and Kryvyi Rih. These stations operated without the necessary licenses and permits, underscoring their illegality.

“In Poltava region, one gas station functioned for over a year without any permits. It sold fuel of unknown origin, creating risks for both the budget and consumers,” stated the official BEB report. This highlights the seriousness of the situation, where consumers could have been exposed to risks due to the use of low-quality fuel.

Additionally, in Kharkiv region, two illegal gas stations were closed down, operating in different localities within the region. It was noted that these stations sold gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied gas obtained from underground producers without documentation regarding their origin or quality certification. This indicates that consumers might have received products that could be hazardous to their health.

In total, over 51,000 liters of suspiciously sourced fuel were confiscated from illegal circulation, including 16,500 liters of diesel fuel, 20,500 liters of gasoline, and over 14,000 liters of liquefied gas. This represents a significant quantity that could have caused harm not only to consumers but also to the state budget.

Previously, in April, the Bureau of Economic Security also terminated the operations of five illegal gas stations in the Bilocherkivskyi district of Kyiv region as part of two criminal proceedings. This demonstrates BEB's systematic approach to tackling the illegal fuel trade in Ukraine.

In March, the Bureau also dismantled three illegal gas stations in the Vyshhorod and Bucha districts of Kyiv region. These actions underscore the importance of monitoring the fuel market and ensuring consumer safety.

Thus, the Bureau of Economic Security continues its active efforts to identify and eliminate illegal gas stations, which is an important step towards ensuring economic stability and security in Ukraine.