ESBU blocks attempt to export over 7.500 tons of soybeans using falsified documents

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Odesa region exposed an agricultural trader attempting to illegally export 7,500 tons of soybeans to Turkey and Romania.

Using forged documents regarding the origin of the agricultural products, the suspects attempted to simulate legal business operations to evade taxes. Detectives established that the export of unverified products was being funneled through supply chains involving shell companies and individual entrepreneurs (FOPs).

During searches at the Odesa port and grain terminals in the Chernivtsi region, ESBU detectives seized over 6,000 tons of soybeans loaded onto a vessel and 1,600 tons from 32 railway cars, with a total value exceeding UAH 103 million.

"The ESBU continues to take measures to stop illegal agricultural export schemes and recover damages to the state budget; since the beginning of 2025, we have returned nearly UAH 432 million in unpaid taxes to the treasury," stated Serhii Muntyan, Head of the ESBU Territorial Office in the Odesa region.

The pre-trial investigation under Part 3 of Art. 212 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (intentional tax evasion) is ongoing to identify all involved parties. The Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office provides procedural oversight.