Law enforcement officers have exposed a resident of Lviv region who organized a channel for the illegal export of hazel wood to the European Union. The woman is registered as an individual entrepreneur and used forged documents to obtain certificates of origin for timber and lumber.
As reported by the press service of the territorial department of the Bureau of Economic Security in Lviv region, the suspect illegally moved over 17 cubic meters of forest products across the customs border. The criminal activity was accompanied by the legalization of income obtained illegally.
"Based on fictitious documents, she received certificates and moved forest products outside Ukraine. Part of the profit was withdrawn through controlled accounts for the purpose of legalization," BEB detectives reported.
Currently, the businesswoman has been reported under suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - smuggling (Article 201) and legalization of property obtained by criminal means (Article 209).
The woman faces up to 5 years in prison for smuggling timber. For laundering proceeds obtained illegally, she faces up to 6 years in prison, as well as confiscation of property and a ban on engaging in certain activities.
The investigation is ongoing. Operational support is provided by the SBU in the Lviv region with the participation of Lviv Customs officers. Procedural guidance is provided by the regional prosecutor's office.
