The Security Service of Ukraine and the State Bureau of Investigation detained two officials from regional departments of the State Customs Service suspected of involvement in illegal schemes.

Thus, in Vinnytsia, a chief state inspector of the local customs department was exposed after offering brokers to freely register spare parts for freight vehicles under the ‘export’ regime in exchange for monetary rewards.

If they refused to pay, the official intentionally slowed down the customs clearance process by applying unreasonable customs procedures.

The cost of such ‘services’ provided by the official ranged from US$300 to US$700 per customs clearance, depending on the nomenclature of the goods.

In the Lviv region, the head of one of the departments at the ‘Horodok’ customs checkpoint was arrested; he had charged a ‘fee’ of 60 US dollars for the unhindered clearance of imported vehicles.

If importers refused to pay, the official threatened them with deliberate delays in the clearance of their vehicles.

Law enforcement officers documented the offences committed by the suspects and caught both officials ‘red-handed’ whilst they were receiving bribes.

During searches of the detainees’ premises, evidence was seized confirming the officials’ unlawful activities.

Both suspects have been served with notices of suspicion under Article 368.3 of the CCU (acceptance of an offer, promise, or obtaining an unlawful benefit by a public official).

The suspects face up to 10 years’ imprisonment with property confiscation.

Comprehensive operations were carried out by the SSU in the Vinnytsia and Lviv regions, in conjunction with the State Bureau of Investigation and the National Police, under the procedural supervision of the regional public prosecutor’s offices.