The SBU exposed a head of a customs post of the Dnipro customs on receiving bribes during customs clearance of vehicles. According to preliminary estimates, the officials were illegally registering almost 30 vehicles every month. The “service” costed about USD 500 per one vehicle, so the suspects managed to receive up to USD 15,000 of illegal benefit for month.

Allegedly, the official set up a scheme of systematic bribe-taking from owners of vehicles with foreign registration, who imported them into the territory of Ukraine. For money, he guaranteed not to impede with the customs clearance of cars and to minimize payments to the state budget. To facilitate the illegal scheme, the official hired a local broker providing customs clearance services.

According to available information, the scheme existed for about six months.

The law enforcement officers documented the deputy head of the customs post receiving a bribe at his office.

The customs official and the broker received suspicion notices of taking a bribe.

The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was carried out jointly with the Territorial Department of the State Bureau of Investigation, located in the city of Poltava, under the supervision of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office.