The ESBU has referred a timber smuggling case in Bukovyna to the court

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Chernivtsi region have concluded a pre-trial investigation into the illegal export of timber materials prohibited from being taken out of Ukraine. An indictment has been referred to the court against the director of the exporting company.

The investigation established that the company head entered into a foreign economic contract with a Romanian firm to supply non-industrial firewood to EU countries. The cargo was intended to be transported by rail through the 'Vadul-Siret' customs post.

Discrepancies in the shipping documents were discovered during customs control. A subsequent in-depth inspection revealed a concealed shipment of coniferous and deciduous timber, the export of which is prohibited by current legislation, being transported under the guise of firewood for fuel.

The total volume of the illegally declared timber exceeded 41 cubic meters.

The actions of the accused have been qualified under Part 2 of Article 15 and Part 1 of Article 201-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—attempted illegal movement of timber, prohibited for export, across the customs border of Ukraine.

Procedural guidance in the criminal proceedings was carried out by the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office.