Global brands, a clandestine workshop, and cement hidden inside: a new level of agricultural fraud in the Mykolaiv region
Cement instead of agrochemicals: law enforcement uncovered a dangerous counterfeit for fields
According to data published on April 7 2026, organized groups that had set up large-scale production and distribution of counterfeit plant protection products — herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and other pesticides — were shut down in Mykolaiv Oblast and Cherkasy Oblast. The scheme was documented from May 2025, and, according to the investigation, it operated for at least a year.
The counterfeit was produced in specially equipped underground premises and disguised as products of well-known global brands, including CORTEVA and Corteva Agriscience. To make the goods look more convincing, scheme participants bought used containers from farmers, but their contents did not match the declared composition. According to the investigation, the mixtures may have had cement and other dangerous components added, which created risks to soils, future crops and the environment.
Distribution was organized across Ukraine — both to agricultural enterprises and private buyers. The counterfeit agrochemicals were sold online, including in Viber groups and on other online platforms, and were delivered by postal services or handed over during personal meetings.
On March 31, 2026 law enforcement carried out 15 searches in the Mykolaiv and Cherkasy oblasts. During the investigative actions they seized more than 1,000 containers with counterfeit products, about 6,500 liters of counterfeit, production equipment, chemicals, printing materials, empty containers, money and other physical evidence.
Six people have already been notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 229 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — illegal use of a trademark for goods and services committed by an organized group. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement are identifying all those involved in the scheme.
Reminder — earlier we wrote:
- Over 700 bottles of illegal alcohol in Mykolaiv Oblast: the company faces a fine of over half a million
- Counterfeit: a Mykolaiv resident on a suspended sentence set up an illegal business
- Counterfeit worth half a million: in Mykolaiv Oblast a ton of fake alcohol and tens of thousands of cigarettes were discovered
- Tried to lose weight — nearly died: Mykolaiv “Ozempic” seized
- Fake cigarettes sold in Mykolaiv: seven participants in the scheme face up to 12 years in prison
