The Security Service of Ukraine has eliminated two corruption schemes at the Volyn customs office, because of which the state budget did not receive significant funds from the customs revenues.
It is to be noted that, the head of one of the departments and the chief inspector organized regular collections from the Ukrainian businesses.
The details about the above mentioned has been shared by the Security Service of Ukraine via their official social media handle. Moreover, the SBU employees have also recorded several facts of the criminal activity of both the involved parties and arrested them while receiving the bribe.
In specific, the head of the department has also made promise, in exchange for the money, to importers for not creating bureaucratic obstacles during the customs clearance of their cargo. The fee for such a service was USD 200 for each car that imported goods.
At the same time, the chief customs inspector, contrary to the requirements, did not increase the customs value of imported products for entrepreneurs. For this, the official has demanded half of the saved funds.
Based on the collected proofs, the investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine has informed the officials part of this of the suspicion under Part 3 of the Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an illegal benefit by an official).
An investigation is ongoing to bring to justice all persons involved in the embezzlement. Perpetrators face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Measures to eliminate corruption schemes in the customs authorities were carried out by SBU employees in the Volyn region under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General’s Office.