$5000 for “resolving the issue”: corruption schemes in the tax service and three regional customs were exposed

The security service exposed an official of the State Tax Service in the Odessa region for corruption, and also eliminated new corruption schemes at the Odessa, Lviv and Zhytomyr customs houses.

It is noted that, as a result of operational activities, 4 customs officials were detained, and tax officials have already been informed of suspicion.

“It was established that the head of one of the divisions of the Southern Department of the State Tax Service demanded a bribe of 5 thousand US dollars from a local businessman. Instead, she promised to resume his business activities, even despite the risks in the reporting documentation,” law enforcement officers note.

According to the SBU materials, she was informed of suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of influence).

The SBU also detained customs officers who, in exchange for bribes, “helped” businessmen import their goods “according to an accelerated procedure”, as well as “bypass” mandatory import payments.

Thus, in Odessa, the deputy head of the local department of the State Customs Service was detained, who “underestimated” the customs value of foreign consumer goods for importers.

Every month, the official processed almost 100 shipping containers through the scheme, each of which was “valued” at 500 US dollars.

In Lvov, the chief state inspector of the Krakovets customs post was detained, who demanded money for not creating bureaucratic obstacles during customs clearance of international shipments.

In case of refusal, he threatened with additional checks and delays in passing customs control.

In Zhitomir, based on materials from the SBU, the head of the local customs office and her subordinate, the head of the customs value control department, will appear in court. Officials created their own organized criminal group and regularly received bribes from entrepreneurs for the “unhindered” import of foreign goods into Ukraine.

“Investigations are ongoing into all exposed facts to bring all perpetrators to justice,” the SBU emphasized.