Recently, law enforcement authorities disrupted the operations of three illegal distilleries in one of the populated areas of the Kharkiv oblast.

Local perpetrators established the production of ethyl alcohol and strong alcoholic beverages, which were sold in local stores and other food establishments without the necessary permits. During authorized searches, over 18 thousand liters of alcohol, almost 6 thousand liters of brandy, and distilled spirits in plastic bottles and Tetra Paks were seized. The estimated value of the confiscated items exceeds 3 million hryvnias.

Currently, investigative actions are ongoing to determine the individuals involved in the illegal circulation of excisable goods. Arrests have been placed on the confiscated products.

The operations were conducted by a joint interagency group, including operational personnel from the Eastern Regional Office of the State Tax Service of Ukraine, border guards from the 10th mobile unit, employees of the Regional State Bureau of Investigation in the Poltava oblast, and under the procedural guidance of the Poltava Regional Prosecutor's Office.

The individuals involved in the case may face legal consequences under Article 204 (illegal production, storage, sale, or transportation for sale of excisable goods) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.