InfoHub Logo

In a significant move against organized crime، Kazakhstan has seized a substantial cache of assets belonging to a smuggling ring in Aktau. The confiscated items include the 'Meliana' tanker، the 'Mangystau Oil Refining' plant، and thousands of tons of fuel، all now transferred to state ownership.

This action follows the conclusion of a court process in October 2025 concerning the illegal export of oil through the Aktau Sea Port in the Mangystau region. Five representatives from oil companies were convicted for their involvement in the organized criminal group، which was found to be engaged in large-scale oil product smuggling.

The Smuggling Operation Uncovered

The Aktau-based organized crime group was established in 2022. The group's scheme involved misrepresenting oil as 'mazut' (fuel oil) to circumvent export restrictions and additional taxes. They utilized forged documents and intermediary firms to facilitate their illicit trade.

In reality، they were shipping crude oil suitable for producing gasoline، diesel، and other products through the Aktau port to Azerbaijan. Between 2022 and 2023 alone، over 2.1 thousand tons of this crude oil were exported via the 'Meliana' tanker.

Confiscated Infrastructure and Assets

On April 16th، the 'Meliana' tanker، the 'Mangystau Oil Refining' plant، and its associated oil products were put up for sale via a state auction website. All these oil infrastructure assets have now been transferred to the state.

The refinery، including its land، buildings، and equipment، was valued at 6.8 billion tenge. The 'Meliana' tanker، built in the Netherlands in 1995، was assessed at 1.6 billion tenge and was docked at Aktau port.

Additionally، oil products that the smugglers had not yet managed to sell were also seized by the state. These included gasified oil، diesel، and mazut، with a combined value of 724 million tenge.

Financial Impact on the State

Financial analysis revealed that the state incurred losses amounting to 1.16 billion tenge from just one of the smuggling episodes. Furthermore، the budget missed out on an additional 320 million tenge in taxes.

The profits generated by the organized group were distributed through fictitious invoices. The court ruling، announced on September 26، 2025، found five defendants – Melkumov، Kystaubayev، Ramazanov، Raygorodsky، and Kenzhebekov – guilty under Article 262، Part 2 ('Participation in an organized group') and Article 234، Part 3، Clause 2 ('Smuggling in especially large quantities') of the Criminal Code.