In Lviv region, the pre-trial investigation has been completed in respect of a man accused of smuggling cars from European Union countries under the guise of humanitarian aid. The indictment has been submitted to court, the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security (TU BEB) in Lviv region reported.
According to the investigation, between March and October 2025 the suspect purchased 14 vehicles in EU countries and unlawfully moved them across Ukraine’s customs border while concealing them from customs control. The cars, which are excisable goods, were brought in as purported humanitarian aid via various charitable foundations.
The imported vehicles were accumulated at a car park in the city of Uman, Cherkasy region, where potential buyers inspected them. To advertise and find clients, the man used an account on the social network Instagram.
The total value of the smuggled goods exceeds UAH 2.2 million, which constitutes a significant amount. On 17 July 2026, the suspect was served with a notice of suspicion, and on the same day the pre-trial investigation materials together with the indictment were submitted to court.
The actions of the accused have been classified under Part 1 of Article 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (smuggling of excisable goods). Procedural supervision in the proceedings was carried out by prosecutors of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, and the pre-trial investigation was conducted by detectives of the TU BEB in Lviv region with operational support from the 6th Volyn Border Detachment and the Strategic Investigations Department in Volyn region of the National Police of Ukraine.