Timber smuggling in Bukovyna: ESBU notifies company director of suspicion

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region have exposed a scheme for the illegal export of timber prohibited from being taken out of Ukraine.

The investigation established that the head of the exporting enterprise entered into a contract with a Romanian company for the supply of firewood for non-industrial use to EU countries. The shipment was planned to be transported by rail through the "Vadul-Siret" customs post.

During the customs inspection, discrepancies were discovered in the accompanying documents. A thorough inspection revealed that timber of coniferous and deciduous species, the export of which is prohibited by Ukrainian law, was concealed under a layer of firewood.

The total volume of smuggled timber exceeded 41 cubic meters.

The director of the enterprise has been notified of suspicion of committing a criminal offense 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.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Procedural guidance is carried out by the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office.