The employees of the SBI completed a pre-trial investigation into the activities of an organized criminal group led by the head of the Zhytomyr customs office. Criminals systematically demanded and received bribes from entrepreneurs during customs clearance of goods.
The defense side has completed familiarization with the case materials, the indictment has been sent to the court.
The organized group was established by a senior official in December 2022. The scheme was to help entrepreneurs who wanted to avoid artificial obstacles during customs formalities for a fee.
The group also included the head of one of the departments and a customs broker. They were supposed to look for "clients", take money from them and hand it over to the chief of customs.
The high-ranking official personally controlled every piece of equipment, in particular agreed on the model of communication with entrepreneurs, indicated the method of transferring money, etc.
The organizer of the OZH gave preference to businessmen who imported expensive goods. The one-time "contribution" was from 350 to 1 thousand US dollars, depending on the value of the lot. Among the imported goods were electric generators, bicycles and their accessories, threads, etc.
In March 2023, the SBI, together with the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office and the SBU, liquidated the activities of this organized criminal group.
The head of the Zhytomyr customs office and her accomplices are accused of obtaining an illegal benefit by an official in a responsible position (Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of up to 10 years with confiscation of property.
Procedural management is carried out by the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office.