SBU blocked in Transcarpathian region the large-scale scheme of illegal shipment of wholesale batches of valuable timber to the European Union countries.

Allegedly, the illegal shipment was organized by one of the regional companies specializing in the sale of timber abroad. Despite the moratorium on the export of raw wood from Ukraine, the company illegally sold timber of this category to foreign customers. For conspiracy reasons, the exporter entered into the customs declaration data that did not correspond to the actual type and quality of raw materials. According to preliminary estimates, the suspects planned to export raw materials worth almost UAH 1 million (USD 37,000) using this scheme. The total volumes and cost of the raw timber are being estimated.

The other day SBU prevented another illegal shipment at the Diakove checkpoint. During the inspection of four trucks, which were going to Europe, the law enforcement found a batch of raw wood with a total volume of 176 cubic meters.

The criminal proceedings were initiated upon the fact of movement of raw timber across the customs border of Ukraine bypassing the customs control or by concealing from the customs control (Art. 201-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Investigations are ongoing to prosecute all those involved in timber smuggling. The issue of seizure of vehicles and timber is being settled.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of Transcarpathian region.