The SSU has exposed an official of the State Tax Service in Odesa region on corruption, and eliminated new unlawful schemes at Odesa, Lviv and Zhytomyr customs.

As a result of the operations, four customs officials were detained, while the Tax Service official has already been served a notice of suspicion.

The SSU established that the head of a unit within the Southern Directorate of the State Tax Service demanded a bribe of USD 5,000 from a local businessman. In return, she promised to resume his business activities, despite the risks in the reporting documentation.

Under the SSU’s investigation, the official was served a notice of suspicion under Article 369-2.2 of the CCU (abuse of influence).

The SSU also detained customs officers who, for bribes, ‘helped’ businessmen import their goods ‘under an accelerated procedure’ and ‘bypass’ mandatory import payments.

In Odesa:

a deputy chief of the local unit the State Customs Service was detained for ‘underestimating’ customs value of foreign consumer goods for importers.

Every month, nearly 100 shipping containers passed through the scheme; the official charged USD 500 per container.

In Lviv:

The chief state inspector of Krakivets Customs Post was detained for extorting money for not creating bureaucratic obstacles during customs clearance of international shipments.

In case of refusal, he threatened to carry out additional checks and ‘arrange’ delays in customs clearance.

In Zhytomyr:

Following the SSU’s investigation, the head of the local customs office and her subordinate, head of customs value control unit, will be tried in court. The officials created an organized criminal group and regularly received bribes from entrepreneurs for ‘unimpeded’ import of foreign goods into Ukraine.

Investigations are ongoing to bring all perpetrators to justice.

The activities to eliminate corruption in state institutions, were carried out jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.