The SSU, with the assistance of the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, exposed large-scale corruption in Yuzhne branch of the State Enterprise Sea Ports Administration of Ukraine.

The head of the branch in 2017-2018 and two of his subordinates are involved in organizing the unlawful activity.

According to the investigation, in May 2017 the officials entered into an agreement with a commercial entity to perform dredging works in the waters of the Pivdennyi sea port.

The investigation established that the cost of the services had been artificially inflated.

The state funds were transferred to the contractor’s accounts, but the actual amount of work did not correspond to the documents.

In this way, over UAH 90 mln (USD 2.2 mln) were siphoned off from the state-owned enterprise.

Within the framework of criminal proceedings under Article 367.2 of the CCU, three organizers of the scheme have been notified of suspicion of committing a crime.

Court is to decide on a measure of restraint.

The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU Office in Odesa region carried out the operation and investigation jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.