The SSU cracked down on a corruption scheme on Odesa customs. The offenders extorted money for fast and unhindered customs clearance of cars from South Korea and the USA. According to preliminary estimates, they received USD 200,000 monthly profit.

According to pre-trial investigation, a scam organizer was an acting chief of an Odesa customs point.

He regularly extorted and received money from individuals and legal entities for unhindered customs clearance of foreign vehicles.

The offender provided customs clearance for 4 hours for reward. If clients refused to pay, the clearance was delayed up to 2 weeks and the assessed value was overestimated.

Illegal clearance of a vehicle cost USD 50, depending on a car’s make. According to preliminary estimates, about 8,000 cars passed through the point every month and almost 80 percent of clients gave bribes.

Law enforcement officers detained the offender red-handed while taking a bribe. Earlier, the SSU documented the receiving USD 700 of the first part of a bribe from the same individual.

The issue of serving a suspicion notice of receiving a bribe by an authorized person is being settled. The investigation is on-going to identify all the individuals involved.