Based on materials from the ESBU in the Volyn region, two men will be tried for organizing a car smuggling scheme

 Detectives from the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Volyn region have completed two pre-trial investigations related to the illegal importation of cars into Ukraine under the guise of humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

According to the investigation, two residents of the Rivne region acted using similar schemes. They purchased cars in European countries and, while crossing the customs border, declared the transport as humanitarian cargo for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, using the details of charitable organizations. This method allowed them to avoid paying duties and taxes. It was established that at least 11 cars were imported this way and subsequently sold for cash.

Detectives of the ESBU have notified the individuals involved that they are suspected of committing criminal offenses under Part 1, Article 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (smuggling of excisable goods) and Part 1, Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (legalization (money laundering) of property obtained by criminal means). The indictments have already been sent to court.

The operational support was provided by officers of the Security Service of Ukraine Office in the Volyn region. Procedural guidance was carried out by prosecutors of the Volyn Regional Prosecutor's Office.

"Our actions are aimed solely at those who abuse the status of humanitarian aid. Charity is about supporting the army and the state. The use of humanitarian mechanisms for illegal enrichment is unacceptable. The ESBU responds harshly to such facts, as they discredit volunteers and harm state interests," emphasized the head of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Volyn region, Larysa Revina.

In 2025, detectives from the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Volyn region uncovered six schemes involving the illegal importation of vehicles into Ukraine's territory. All proceedings have been forwarded to the court, and the seized vehicles have been confiscated as state revenue.