In the customs control zone of the Lviv Customs Office, smuggled Apple devices with an estimated value of over UAH 35 million were discovered. The carrier of the goods has been notified of suspicion, and the seized electronics have been placed under arrest. This was reported on the basis of the investigation under the procedural guidance of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the investigation, in mid-January this year a Renault Trafic vehicle driven by a 38-year-old Lviv resident arrived in the customs control zone. When crossing the border, the man chose the “green corridor” in order to avoid declaring the goods and paying customs duties.
During the inspection of the vehicle, customs officers found specially equipped hiding places in the car’s underbody: two under the driver’s and passenger’s seats and another one behind the driver. To maintain secrecy, the openings were covered with metal plates lined with fabric.
In the hiding places, packages with high-end electronics of the Apple brand were found. These included 501 iPhone handsets, 211 pairs of earphones and 117 wristwatches. The estimated value of the discovered goods is over UAH 35 million.
Under the procedural guidance of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the 38-year-old Lviv resident has been notified of suspicion of committing smuggling under Part 2 of Article 201-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The seized devices have been placed under arrest.
The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security in Lviv region with operational support from officers of the 7th Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and with the assistance of staff of the Lviv Customs Office.
Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt has been proven in the manner prescribed by law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.