In Bukovina, authorities uncovered a large-scale operation producing counterfeit fuel.

Law enforcement officers in Bukovyna have uncovered entrepreneurs who were producing counterfeit fuel on an industrial scale. Poor-quality diesel and automotive gas were distributed at gas stations in the Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Khmelnytsky regions. During searches, authorities seized 140 tons of fuel valued at over 20 million UAH.

The police, in collaboration with the Bureau of Economic Security, conducted a large-scale operation in Bukovyna to identify and dismantle the production of counterfeit fuel. Law enforcement discovered that several locals conspired to profit from fuel counterfeiting, particularly of autogas and diesel.

The offenders produced the counterfeit fuel by mixing various chemical compounds with regular fuel, and added A-95 gasoline to gas condensate. This method increased the quantity of fuel while deteriorating its quality, reported the territorial office of the Bureau of Economic Security in Bukovyna. The counterfeit was mixed directly in the tanks of truck tankers.

"To increase the octane number of the diesel fuel, the perpetrators added various additives of unknown origin. They then sold the counterfeit fuel for cash to acquaintances who, in turn, distributed it under the guise of quality fuel through several gas stations in the Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Khmelnytsky regions," – reported the National Police's Strategic Investigations Department on Wednesday, November 20.

Law enforcement conducted 15 authorized searches in the Chernivtsi region, at the residences and vehicles of suspects, as well as in the offices of businesses that purchased the counterfeit fuel. During these searches, approximately 140 tons of diesel fuel and gas condensate, fuel tankers, initial financial and economic documentation, registration and permit documents, rough notes, computers, mobile phones, and cash were seized.

"According to the results of the conducted examination, it was established that the petroleum products sold by the men to entrepreneurs for cash do not meet state standards and are close to the low-quality ecological standards of Euro 3 and Euro 4, which are prohibited for use by Ukrainian legislation," – stated law enforcement officials.

Currently, criminal proceedings are being investigated under Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Fraud) and Article 204 (Illegal production, storage, sale, or transportation for the purpose of sale of excise goods). The court is also considering the issue of notifying individuals involved in the production and sale of counterfeit fuel of their suspicion.