Under the procedural leadership of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, two inspectors of the customs post of the Lviv Customs Office were exposed and notified of the suspicion. They are charged with extorting and receiving illegal benefits (Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
According to the investigation, two employees of one of the customs posts of the Lviv customs office organized a scheme of demanding and receiving bribes for the smooth customs clearance of cargo.
The inspectors created conditions under which citizens were forced to provide an illegal benefit. In particular, the customs control process was delayed and artificial obstacles were created during its passage.
The amount of the illegal benefit was between 100 and 500 USD, depending on the nature of the cargo.
7 episodes of criminal activity of the specified customs officials were documented.
The suspects were detained in accordance with Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, after receiving another unlawful benefit.
Precautionary measures in the form of detention were chosen for the detainees, and they were also removed from their positions.
Investigations are ongoing, other involved persons are being identified.
Pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings is carried out by investigators of the territorial department of the SBU, operational support is carried out by the Office of the SBU in the Lviv region and the territorial department of the SBU. The investigation was carried out with the assistance of the Department of Departmental Security and Control of the State Customs Service.
Note: in accordance with Art. 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until his guilt is proven in a legal manner and established by a court verdict.
Department of Information Policy of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office