FAS REVEALED A CARTEL FOR 300 MILLION RUBLES WHEN SUPPLYING PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IN THE TAMBOV REGION

The actions of violators could lead to an increase in budget expenses

FAS Russia has recognized OOO Eco, OOO Promtorg, OOO Premiumtorg and OOO Neftetrans-Tambov as violating antimonopoly legislation*.

The companies concluded and implemented a cartel agreement in order to maintain bid prices. In total, 369 tenders for the supply of gasoline and diesel fuel were held with the participation of these organizations. Trade procedures were carried out by various state organizations and institutions of the Tambov region in the period from 2018 to 2022. The total initial (maximum) contract prices amounted to 301,567,814 rubles.

The evidence in the case was obtained, inter alia, by conducting unscheduled field audits in 2021. The Authority found that the companies used a common infrastructure for bidding from the same location, as well as actually refused to compete during bidding.

Organizations face turnover-based fines in accordance with the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation**. In addition, the materials of the antimonopoly case will be submitted to the law enforcement agencies for decision on the issue of initiating criminal proceedings.

Reference:

* Paragraph 2 of the Part 1 of the Article 11 of the Federal Law of July 26, 2006 No. 135-FZ "‎  On Protection of Competition "‎

** Part 2 of the Article 14.32 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation