Under the procedural supervision of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a pre-trial investigation is being conducted in criminal proceedings over smuggling of excisable goods (Part 1 of Article 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
According to the investigation, in 2024, a group of people organised the illegal import of cars from the EU using the details of charitable organisations.
To move the contraband across the customs border of Ukraine, the carriers presented documents with false information, namely, about the alleged import of vehicles under the guise of humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Preliminarily, it has been established that more than 700 cars were imported into Ukraine through this scheme.
The cars were sold through online platforms to third parties who were not related to the Armed Forces.
During the searches at the suspects’ residences, the SBU found and seized 17 vehicles, which they intended to sell.
The investigative actions are ongoing. All involved persons are being identified.
The pre-trial investigation is being carried out by detectives of the SBU Department in Lviv region. Operational support and assistance in the criminal proceedings are provided by the SBU Office in Lviv region, the 7th Border Guard Detachment and the Eastern Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Note: In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person shall be presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved by law and established by a court verdict of guilty.
Information Policy Department
of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office
