The Security Service of Ukraine has exposed a criminal group that extorted bribes at the Kyiv customs. According to operative information, the "scheme" was organized by employees of the State Customs Service, who demanded funds from entrepreneurs for not creating artificial barriers to customs clearance of goods.

Three persons were detained “red-handed” during a multi-stage operation. In particular, the Deputy Head of the Customs Post Unit, the Chief State Inspector of the Department for Prevention and Counteraction to Smuggling of the Kyiv Customs of the State Customs Service, as well as a mediator, a civilian. Two involved persons were detained in accordance with Art. 208 of the CPC, the issue of choosing a measure of restraint is resolved.

The lump sum of the bribe received by them was almost USD 8 thousand.

According to operative information, the illegal scheme of offenders had systemic character. They collected "taxes in their own pockets" from all groups of goods that passed through them: both from goods that passed through Ukraine in transit, and those that got customs clearance directly in Ukraine.

Urgent investigative and operational actions are underway to bring to justice all persons involved in the group's activities.

The perpetrators were exposed by 4 Directorate of the Main Department for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime of the Security Service of Ukraine and the State Bureau of Investigation under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General’s Office.