Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have sent a high-profile $7 million customs fraud case to court, marking one of the most significant prosecutions of systemic corruption inside the country’s customs service. The case shines a spotlight on how entrenched criminal networks inside government institutions continue to drain state coffers, even as the country faces immense financial strain from war and relies heavily on foreign aid.

The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) revealed that the criminal group operated within the Chernivtsi Customs Office, located near Ukraine’s southwestern border with Romania. Investigators described the operation as a “grey import” scheme, whereby officials and business figures colluded to avoid paying proper import duties on goods.

According to the investigation, the scheme cost Ukraine nearly 290 million hryvnias (approximately $7 million). The group allegedly exploited loopholes in customs procedures to allow high-value imports, such as Turkish clothing, footwear, and accessories, to bypass inspections and enter Ukraine at a fraction of the normal duty rate.

Trucks crossing the Vadul-Siret checkpoint were allegedly declared empty or registered as carrying low-value goods, including bricks, particleboard, or rolls of fabric. Once across the border, the trucks were redirected to warehouses where their real cargo – the more valuable Turkish goods — was unloaded and prepared for resale on Ukraine’s domestic market.

To cover their tracks, customs officials then arranged for the trucks to be reloaded with the cheaper items and presented for final clearance at the Chernivtsi Customs Office. With falsified documents........

© Blitz