Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine conducted authorized searches in warehouses, offices and production facilities of legal entities controlled by an Odesa businessman.

Earlier the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) imposed personal sanctions against him for smuggling.

On April 14, 2021, his citizenship was terminated by a presidential decree.

Despite this the businessman with the help of family ties and business partners continued to coordinate criminal activities aimed at tax evasion on a particularly large scale and money laundering including the illegal import of goods into the customs territory of Ukraine.

As a result of 6 searches the detectives of the ESBU seized documents, computer equipment as well as other items and things of evidentiary value for criminal proceedings.

According to analysts the estimated losses from the illegal activities of the mentioned companies amount to UAH 127 million.

The investigation is ongoing. The full range of persons involved in committing the crimes is being identified and brought to criminal responsibility. Economic and computer-technical examinations are planned.

Prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine are providing procedural guidance.