An organized crime group in the Mangystau region was engaged in the illegal export of oil products outside Kazakhstan. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to the National Security Committee, the investigation found that the criminal scheme was organized by an entrepreneur from the Mangystau region. He concluded contracts with subsoil user companies for the purchase of crude oil.
The oil was then processed at the small oil refineries "Standart Petroleum" and "Mangystau Oil Refining", and false quality passports were issued for the products. The products were subsequently presented as furnace fuel and exported abroad by tankers through the Aktau seaport. Between 2019 and 2023, more than 160,000 tonnes of oil products were illegally exported abroad through "Batys Nefte Trade" LLP alone. The total volume of operations is estimated at approximately 45 billion tenge.
According to the Committee, as part of investigative actions carried out this year, the assets of persons involved in the criminal case, small oil refineries, a tanker and other property were confiscated. In addition, more than 2 billion tenge was recovered to the state revenue for illegally obtained income and unpaid taxes.
Earlier, by a verdict of the Aktau city court, five members of the organized crime group, including the heads of small oil refineries and a trading company, were sentenced to eight years in prison under Part 3 of Article 234 and Part 2 of Article 262 of the Criminal Code. The organizer of the criminal scheme has been placed on the international wanted list.