The SSU has prevented establishment of a channel for smuggling branded goods from the EU to Ukraine. The law enforcement seized cargo weighing 75 tons.

The smuggling scheme was set up by a citizen of Ukraine who has been on the NSDC sanctions list since April 2021. Together with his associates, he developed a plan for regular ‘deliveries’ of branded clothes, shoes and fabrics to Ukraine.

The offenders attempted to import a consignment of merchandise to Ukraine through a customs checkpoint violating customs legislation. To minimize customs duties, they provided falsified information regarding the name and value of cargo in the accompanying documents.

The difference between the actual duties and the amount they planned to pay was over UAH 5 mln (USD 180,000).

During the 10 searches conducted in the offices, warehouses and homes of the perpetrators, the following items were seized:

• seals, including those of sanctioned enterprises, financial and economic documentation;
• data carriers with evidence of illegal activity;
• draft accounting records.

Criminal proceedings were opened under Article 258-5.3 (terrorism financing), Article 209.3 (money laundering) and Article 212.3 (tax evasion) of the CCU. The investigation is underway.

The SSU carried out the operation under the supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.