Nearly 50 tonnes of alcohol and counterfeit excise stamps: an illegal alcohol business uncovered in Zakarpattia

In Zakarpattia, law enforcement officers uncovered an illegal alcohol production operation, selling its products as those of well-known Ukrainian brands. According to investigators, the illegal business was organized by a family from Uzhhorod together with two accomplices. Counterfeit vodka and cognac were produced in a warehouse in the village of Kontsovo, and the finished products were sold mainly through village shops in the region. The Office of the Prosecutor General reported this on October 19, 2026. 

According to investigators, the illegal operation ran from November 2025 to October 2026. The alcohol was brought from Lviv Oblast, diluted with water and other ingredients, then bottled and labeled with counterfeit excise stamps. This allowed the counterfeit products to be passed off as alcohol made by well-known Ukrainian producers.

During 29 searches in Zakarpattia and Lviv oblasts, law enforcement officers seized around 48.5 tonnes of alcohol, nearly 1,000 bottles of alcoholic beverages, and more than 2,300 counterfeit excise stamps. They also found equipment for bottling alcoholic beverages, nearly 10,000 packs of cigarettes, five vehicles, and handwritten records.

Five suspects are charged with the illegal production, storage, transportation, and sale of excisable goods, as well as illegal dealings in counterfeit excise stamps. The organizer and his son were remanded in custody, with the option of bail, while the other three suspects were placed under house arrest.

Law enforcement officers are currently seeking the seizure of the suspects’ property and identifying other individuals who may have been involved in the illegal business. Under Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict.

We wrote earlier:

• Nearly three tonnes of alcohol and “premium” counterfeit liquor: major scheme uncovered in Mykolaiv
• Counterfeit goods: Mykolaiv resident on probation set up an illegal business
• Half a million worth of counterfeit goods: a tonne of fake alcohol and tens of thousands of cigarettes found in Mykolaiv Oblast
• Selling poison: 52-year-old Mykolaiv resident illegally made 325 litres of vodka and 50 litres of cognac for sale
• “Poured” drinks for 20 hryvnias: vodka seller tried in Korabelnyi