The SSU has shut down a corruption scheme in the Main Directorate of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Odesa oblast.

The participants of the scheme extorted money from companies exporting Ukrainian agricultural products under the Grain Deal.

In exchange for bribes, they ‘guaranteed’ grain traders unimpeded receipt of phytosanitary certificates of conformity for their products.

In case businesses refused to pay the ‘tribute’, they threatened to delay bureaucratic procedures as much as possible.

The SSU documented two episodes of receiving almost UAH 400,000 in hryvnia equivalent (USD 10,500) by an intermediary involved by the officials to hand over bribes.

According to the investigation, organizers of the scheme demanded a ‘tribute’ of 40 US cents for each ton of exported products.

Within an opened criminal proceeding, the SSU documented the hand-over of another ‘advance payment’ to the middleman.

The mediator has been served a notice of suspicion under the Article 369-2.3 of the CCU (abuse of influence).

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring the offenders to justice.

The SSU Offices in Odesa and Cherkasy regions carried out the activities jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.