The Security Service of Ukraine exposed the scheme of export of timber illegally felled in Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions. During 2020-2021, the organizers exported Carpathian spruce for almost UAH 15 m (USD 536,000).

Allegedly, the scheme was organized by entrepreneurs from Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions. Every month, merchants sent for export 8-10 trucks with lumber.

To make the scheme look legal, the dealers used old invoices on wood as the new ones. A number of affiliated entrepreneurs bought used invoices and resold them for reuse. On the basis of these invoices, exporters legalized illegally felled timber and obtained a certificate of origin of wood required for export.

The law enforcement detained two trucks with illegal cargo at the border.

During 14 searches of the locations of deforestation and illegal production facilities in the territory of Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions, the SBU seized lumber with forged accompanying documentation, roundwood without any relevant documents, financial, economic and accounting documentation proving the illegal scheme.

The investigation is ongoing upon the facts of illegal logging or illegal transportation, storage, sale of timber; forgery of documents, seals and stamps.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Main Directorate for Counterintelligence Protection of the State's Interests in the Sphere of Economic Security together with the SBU Office in Ivano-Frankivsk region.