Zakarpattia: Scheme for producing counterfeit alcohol uncovered, nearly 49 tonnes of spirit seized

Uncovering illegal alcohol production

Law enforcement agencies established the activities of an organised group engaged in the illegal manufacture and sale of falsified alcoholic beverages. The products were produced by imitating goods from well-known Ukrainian brands, with the main sales channel being shops in rural areas of the Zakarpattia region.

According to the investigation, the initiators of this business were a family from Uzhhorod, who involved two other participants in the scheme. The illegal production operated from November 2025 to October 2026. The main site for creating counterfeit vodka and cognac was a warehouse located in the village of Kontsovo.

How the counterfeiting scheme worked

Investigators claim that the raw material, specifically spirit, was supplied from the Lviv region. At the production site, the liquid was diluted with water and other components were added. The finished mixture was then bottled and marked with counterfeit excise stamps, giving the goods the appearance of legal products from popular brands.

Search results and seizure of evidence

To gather evidence, law enforcement officers conducted 29 searches in the Zakarpattia and Lviv regions. During these operations, a significant amount of goods and equipment was discovered and seized, including:

• approximately 48.5 tonnes of spirit;
• almost 1,000 bottles of finished alcoholic products;
• over 2,300 counterfeit excise stamps;
• equipment for bottling alcohol;
• almost 10,000 packs of cigarettes;
• five cars;
• draft records that may be significant for the investigation.

Status of the case suspects

The prosecution has informed five individuals of suspicion. They are charged with the illegal manufacture, storage, transportation, and sale of excisable goods, as well as illegal operations involving counterfeit excise stamps.

The court selected preventive measures for the suspects: the organiser and his son were remanded in custody with the possibility of bail, while three other suspects were placed under house arrest. The issue of seizing the suspects' property is currently being resolved.

Investigators continue to establish the origin of the seized products, the volume of their sale, and possible supply channels. The search for other individuals who may have been involved in this scheme is also ongoing.

In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent of committing a crime until their guilt is proven in the legal manner and established by a guilty verdict of the court.