NABU and SAPO expose corruption in the State Border Guard Service

NABU and SAPO expose corruption scheme in the State Border Guard Service

NABU and SAPO reported the exposure of a large-scale corruption scheme involving officials State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Among the suspects:

• former head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, General;

• Head of the Department of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine;

• former official of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

The scheme of illegal smuggling

According to the investigation, the 2023 a group of people organised smuggling cigarettes across the state border of Ukraine to EU countries.

Only in the period of from July to November 2023 the defendants in the case received EUR 204 thousand of unlawful benefit for unhindered travel 68 vehicles - by 3 thousand euros for each vehicle.

Methods of disguise

The criminals used to conceal their criminal activities:

• cars, registered in the Czech Republic and Austria;

• number plates, look like diplomatic ones.

The passengers of such vehicles were holders of diplomatic passports, In particular family members of Ukrainian diplomats in Europe.

Further actions of the investigation

The following are currently underway investigative actions, The full range of persons involved and possible other episodes of criminal activity are being established. Law enforcement officers are also checking the channels of sale of contraband products.

Context.

Corruption at the border remains one of the the most sensitive issues in the field of security and European integration of Ukraine. The exposure of such schemes is a key requirement EU and international partners in the context of law enforcement reform.