Closure of Five Illegal Gas Stations in Kyiv Region

The Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine (BEB) has taken significant action in response to two criminal proceedings by shutting down five illegal gas stations (GS) located in the Bilocherkivskyi district of the Kyiv region. These gas stations were engaged in the unlawful storage and sale of counterfeit fuel, which constitutes a serious violation of the law.

Investigative actions revealed that the fuel sold at these stations was sourced from an illegal oil depot. This depot was not registered in the relevant registries and operated without the necessary permits. According to an official statement from the BEB, "Operational data indicated that the fuel was purchased from an illegal oil depot, the activities of which were not reflected in the relevant registries and were conducted without proper permits." During searches at the illegal gas stations, no quality certificates, fuel passports, or accompanying documentation that would confirm the legal origin of the petroleum products were found.

As a result of the conducted searches, the Bureau of Economic Security seized approximately 50 tons of diesel fuel, over 30 tons of A-95 gasoline, three storage tanks for fuel, two fuel distribution complexes, as well as computer equipment, rough notes, and financial and economic documentation that confirmed the illegal activities. Preliminary estimates suggest that the total value of the seized fuel and equipment exceeds 6 million hryvnias.

According to the BEB's report, a pre-trial investigation is currently underway in the criminal case under Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to the illegal production, storage, sale, or transportation for the purpose of sale of excise goods. This indicates serious violations related to the circulation of dangerous goods for consumers.

It is worth noting that in March of this year, the Bureau of Economic Security announced suspicions against five members of an organized crime group that had organized the activities of an illegal oil depot and the sale of counterfeit fuel in the Kyiv region. Additionally, in March, the BEB also closed down three illegal gas stations in the Vyshhorod and Bucha districts, highlighting the active efforts of law enforcement to combat the illegal circulation of fuel in the region.

This situation underscores the importance of monitoring fuel quality and adhering to legislation in this area, as counterfeit fuel can cause significant harm not only to vehicles but also to people's health. The BEB continues its work to identify and halt such violations to ensure consumer safety and the stability of the fuel resources market.