The SBU and the State Bureau of Investigation detained one of the main customs officers in the Carpathian region, who was demanding bribes from importers.
This was reported by the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine.
According to the investigation, the head of one of the key departments of the customs authority, for money, “guaranteed” entrepreneurs not to create artificial obstacles during customs clearance of their goods.
To implement the “scheme” in practice, the official attracted several customs brokers from the Ivano-Frankivsk and Transcarpathian customs offices. One of them acted as an intermediary for the transfer of bribes from entrepreneurs.
The SBU noted that they documented four facts of receiving illegal benefits by those involved in the production. After this, the organizer of the scheme and the intermediary were caught red-handed while receiving a new “tranche”.
At the moment, searches are ongoing at the places of work and residence of the suspects and those involved in the scheme are being identified. Both detainees were informed of suspicion under Part 3 of Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of unlawful benefits by an official.
Now they face up to 10 years behind bars with confiscation of property.
