SBU prevented in Transcarpathian region an attempt to illegally export a large batch of antiepidemic goods, banned from export by the government.

Allegedly, a customs officer from “Uzhhorod” unit of Chop border detachment set up a scheme to receive benefit from illegal export of antiepidemic goods.

SBU documented the officer extorting USD 3,000 from a local resident. For the sum of money, the customs officer “guaranteed” his assistance to smuggle 11,000 face masks worth over UAH 500,000 (USD 17,800) to a European country, avoiding border crossing points.

The law enforcement detained the customs officer in Uzhhorod district on receiving first “trance” of the unlawful benefit (in accordance with the Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine).

The issues of serving the detainee a notice of suspicion and choosing a form of detention are being settled.

The investigation upon the fact of taking a bribe by an official (P. 3 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) is ongoing to establish and to bring to justice all the persons involved into the illegal activity. 

The operation was conducted by the SBU Office in Transcarpathian region jointly with the Internal security unit “Zahid” and Territorial Department of the State Bureau of Investigations in Lviv City, under the supervision of the Military Prosecutor’s Office of Uzhhorod garrison.