Law enforcement officers have caught two customs officials taking bribes in the Vinnytsia and Lviv regions
The Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigations and the National Police have exposed two officials from regional branches of the State Customs Service who are suspected of extorting bribes.
In Vinnytsia, law enforcement officers detained the chief state inspector of the local customs office and an intermediary. According to the investigation, they had been operating since at least December 2025. The intermediary made contact with business representatives interested in simplified and guaranteed customs clearance of goods, after which the official would process the necessary documents.
The suspects demanded US$500 for each customs clearance. In another incident, according to the SSU, the official offered brokers unhindered clearance of spare parts for freight vehicles under the export regime. The cost of such services ranged from 300 to 700 US dollars, depending on the type of goods. According to the investigation, if payment was refused, he would deliberately delay customs clearance by applying unfounded customs procedures.
In July 2026, the official and an intermediary were arrested whilst receiving yet another bribe. During searches of their places of work and residence, communication devices and 13,000 US dollars in cash were seized. The origin of these funds is being established as part of the pre-trial investigation.
The court suspended the official from his duties and imposed a preventive measure in the form of remand in custody, with the option of posting bail in the amount of 266,000 hryvnias.
In the Lviv region, law enforcement officers detained the head of one of the departments at the ‘Horodok’ customs post. According to the investigation, he set a fee of 60 US dollars for the unhindered clearance of imported vehicles. If importers refused to pay, the official, according to the investigation, threatened them with artificial delays in the customs clearance of their vehicles.
Both officials were arrested whilst receiving bribes. During searches, law enforcement officers seized evidence which, according to them, confirms the unlawful activity.
The official from the Vinnytsia Customs Office has been notified of suspicion of receiving an unlawful benefit, committed repeatedly and by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, whilst the intermediary was charged with aiding and abetting the commission of this offence under Part 5 of Article 27 and Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
An official at the ‘Horodok’ customs post has been notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The penalties for the alleged offences carry a sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
