Interim Deputy Head of Odesa Customs detained on suspicion of bribery

The Security Service of Ukraine detained the acting deputy head of the customs clearance department of one of the Odesa customs posts on suspicion of organizing a corruption scheme during customs control.

This was reported by the SBU press service.

SBU officers found that the customs official systematically demanded bribes from legal entities and individuals for speeding up the customs clearance of goods and not creating artificial obstacles.

In exchange for various amounts of bribes, he guaranteed fast customs clearance of goods without mandatory forms of customs control. If the clients refused to pay, the clearance was delayed or denied altogether.

According to the investigation, SBU officers documented several episodes of the customs officer receiving illegal remuneration. Law enforcers detained the official while he was receiving a bribe for resolving the issue of customs clearance of a consignment of automotive electronic control units imported by one of the suppliers.

Based on the evidence collected, the offender was served a notice of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (extortion and receipt of unlawful benefit by an official). The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 10 years with confiscation of property.

A custody was chosen as a measure of restraint and the suspect was removed from his position.

Earlier, the Center for Public Investigations recalled the largest corruption scandals in Odesa region that occurred in 2024. They included the detention of several high-ranking officials, exposure of corruption schemes in law enforcement, judicial and medical spheres, as well as in higher education institutions. In addition, the head of a regional division of the Antimonopoly Committee was detained for promising to reduce fines for entrepreneurs in exchange for $10,000, as well as a former traffic police officer who promised to employ them in the National Police in exchange for $8,000.

Кирило Бойко