Bukovyna exposes corruption scheme at customs: official detained for bribes
In Chernivtsi region, employees of the State Bureau of Investigation jointly with the State Customs Service detained the deputy head of one of the customs posts on bribery. According to investigators, the official took USD 100 for each Apple mobile phone illegally imported into Ukraine, including popular iPhone models.
The official provided entrepreneurs with a whole «service», which included advice on ways to evade customs control, as well as guarantees of unimpeded border crossing. During the searches of the detainee, it was found that he had received $10,400 from one businessman alone for the transportation of one batch of smartphones.
The detention took place during the transfer of a part of the bribe from the businessman. Additionally, to hide the money, the official's wife tried to throw it away in a toilet paper sleeve. As a result of the searches at the suspect's residence, almost half a million hryvnias in foreign currency, bank cards and mobile phones were seized.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement officers establishing the possible involvement of other customs officials in the corruption scheme. The official has already been served a notice of suspicion of committing a crime, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property. A custody with the possibility of bail was chosen as a measure of restraint. The Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office is providing procedural supervision in this case.
Source and photo SBI
