The SBU exposed and blocked a large-scale illegal import of textile goods to Ukraine.  

SBU operatives established that officials of a metallurgical plant organized the scheme to artificially create a tax credit. They converted this credit in cash via bogus companies after the state reimbursed it. At the same time, officials changed the nomenclature of goods in tax systems, illegally reducing tax liability.

As a result, the metallurgical plant “officially” produced textile products and sold them to a number of firms. In fact, dealers smuggled textiles and sold it in Ukraine for cash, including on the well-known Odesa market. Allegedly, this scheme caused losses to the state for almost UAH 140 million (USD 4.9 million).

Law enforcement officers conducted investigation in three regions, authorized by the court. To counter the investigative team, the offenders blocked the road access and provoked the use of force, weapons and special equipment.

During the searches, original documents, draft records, computer equipment and other evidence confirming the illegal activities were seized.

The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Main Directorate for Counterintelligence Protection of the State's Interests in the Sphere of Economic Security jointly with the investigators of the Large Taxpayers Office of the State Fiscal Service under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office.