Large-scale smuggling in the Kyiv region: 29 humanitarian vehicles sold under the guise of charitable foundations

 Vehicles imported into Ukraine under the guise of humanitarian aid for army needs were sold to private buyers. In this manner, 29 vehicles were sold. An additional 49 vehicles prepared for sale were seized during initial searches.

The scheme was uncovered by detectives from the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Kyiv region.

According to the investigation, the scheme was organized by a father and son acting under the cover of charitable foundations. They purchased vehicles on European online marketplaces and imported them into Ukraine using humanitarian aid declarations on behalf of charitable organizations. As a result, the vehicles were cleared without the payment of customs duties.

Subsequently, the vehicles were sold to private buyers via online marketplaces and dedicated chat groups in messaging apps. Not a single one of these vehicles was transferred for army needs.

During investigative actions at the suspects' residences and vehicle storage sites, ESBU detectives seized evidence of the illegal activity. In addition to the vehicles, mobile phones containing operational correspondence and rough accounting records  were found.

Both organizers of the illicit scheme have been served notices of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (large-scale smuggling of excisable goods). For one of them, the court imposed a preventive measure in the form of detention with a bail alternative of 1 million UAH. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing; the exact amount of state damages is being determined, and the involvement of other individuals is being verified.

Operational support is provided by personnel from the "Kyiv" Separate Checkpoint of the State Border Guard Service, the Main Directorate of the SSU in Kyiv and the Kyiv Region, the Department of Counterintelligence, and the State Customs Service.

Prosecutorial guidance is provided by prosecutors of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Pursuant to 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 through legal procedures and established by a court's verdict of conviction.