ESBU detectives in Bukovyna have dismantled a shadow channel supplying timber to Moldova worth UAH 10 million

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region have dismantled a scheme for the illegal export of timber materials to the Republic of Moldova. The organizers have been served with notices of suspicion.

According to the investigation, throughout 2025, the organizer and his accomplices purchased unaccounted timber. Forestry officials were also involved in the illicit activities.

Subsequently, documents containing falsified information regarding the legal origin of the forest products were issued. Based on these, the suspects obtained official export certificates, which allowed them to move the products across the border and sell them in the Republic of Moldova without hindrance.

Private entrepreneurs and drivers were recruited to manage the logistics.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers conducted 26 searches at enterprises, warehouses, inside vehicles, and at the residences of the suspects. They seized approximately 1,000 m³ of timber, consignment notes (CMRs), marking tags, and cash in various currencies (EUR 48,360, USD 4,500, and UAH 509,400), as well as dashcams and ledger records.

The total value of the seized assets is approximately UAH 10 million.

Currently, two organizers have been served with notices of suspicion under Part 2 of the Art. 201-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (smuggling of timber and valuable tree species). The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, and efforts are underway to identify all individuals involved.

Operational support is provided by officers from the Strategic Investigations Department in the Chernivtsi region and the Security Service of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region.

Prosecutorial supervision is handled by the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office.

In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court’s verdict of conviction.