Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation reported suspicion to a former employee of the Lviv Customs, who is suspected of illegal enrichment for more than 12 million hryvnias.
According to the SBI, the person involved in the case acquired significant assets that do not have a substantiated origin. Among them are a residential building in the Dnipropetrovsk region, 22 land plots in the Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions, a fleet of vehicles including a Jeep Cherokee, Toyota Venza, KamAZ, a trailer, a Brig Falkon 450L watercraft, and an ЕО-2621 excavator.
The investigation established that the suspect registered his property not only for himself, but also for his closest relatives: his wife, father and father-in-law. Such a scheme is often used to hide the real amount of property, which may indicate an intention to avoid responsibility.
The former customs officer is suspected of illegal enrichment under Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This article provides for liability for the acquisition of assets, the legality of which has not been confirmed, in a significant amount.
At the moment, the issue of selecting a preventive measure for the suspect is being resolved. The law enforcement officers are also preparing a motion to the court to seize all discovered assets in order to prevent their further alienation.
This case is yet another proof of the systemic problem of corruption in the customs service. Significant wealth, which cannot be explained by official income, only confirms the need to strengthen control over the work of customs officials and their lifestyle.
The SBI emphasizes the importance of transparency and openness in the fight against such crimes, because such crimes cause significant damage to the state's economy and undermine citizens' trust in institutions.
