Cars for the AFU were sold via TikTok: based on ESBU materials, three participants of the scheme will stand trial

 The cars were declared as humanitarian aid for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In reality, they were sold through internet platforms and social networks. In total, the members of the organized group illegally moved 13 cars across the customs border of Ukraine with a total value of over 2.9 million UAH.

Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Volyn region have completed their pretrial investigation and sent an indictment to court against a member of the organized crime group and two accomplices. Another two suspects have been placed on the wanted list.

According to the investigation, the perpetrators used documents of charitable organizations to import cars into Ukraine under the guise of humanitarian aid. In the declarations, they stated that the vehicles were allegedly intended for the needs of the AFU.

One of the participants of the scheme moved the cars from the Republic of Poland to Ukraine through checkpoints within the zone of activity of the Volyn and Lviv customs. Already after import, the cars were repaired and sold.

The fact of the sale of the vehicles was recorded during undercover test purchases.

During authorized searches at the residences of the suspects, detectives seized documents of charitable organizations, declarations on humanitarian aid, registration slips, certificates of acceptance and transfer of vehicles, state license plates, and cars.

A member of the organized group is charged with moving excisable goods across the customs border of Ukraine with concealment from customs control, committed by an organized group (part 3 of article 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Two of his accomplices are charged with aiding in the smuggling of excisable goods by prior conspiracy by a group of persons (part 2 of article 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The indictment against the three suspects has been sent to court.

In total, five individuals are implicated in the criminal proceedings. Another two are abroad. They have been notified of suspicion and placed on the wanted list. The materials regarding these suspects have been separated into a distinct criminal proceeding.

Operational support is carried out by employees of the Department of Strategic Investigations in the Volyn region of the DSI of the National Police together with the 6th border detachment of the State Border Guard Service. Procedural guidance is provided by prosecutors of the Volyn Regional Prosecutor's Office.