Former Head of the Customs Department Arrested in Odesa for Humanitarian Aid Schemes

The former head of the Odessa Customs Office’s Department for Combating Drug and Weapons Smuggling was taken into custody in connection with the alleged sale of humanitarian aid. According to investigators, goods imported for charitable organizations were sold to business owners at the “7 Kilometer” industrial market.

The Center for Public Investigations examined the details of the case.

As stated in the ruling of the Peresypsky District Court of Odessa dated October 15, 2026, in March 2023, one of the participants in the scheme established the charitable organization “Peacekeeping Odessa” to import humanitarian aid for the civilian population and the military. In March 2025, he met with the former head of the relevant department of the Odessa Customs Office. 

According to the case file, the cargo was imported through the “Orlivka” border crossing, stored in warehouses in Odesa and the surrounding area, and then transported to the market pavilions of the “7 Kilometer” industrial market. According to the investigation, representatives of the charitable organizations “Doloni Pivdenya” and “Volonterski Kryla” were involved in the scheme.

To conceal the sales, law enforcement officials believe the participants prepared documents stating that the goods were being transferred to the “Ridny Bereg” charitable foundation. Investigators are also establishing the circumstances surrounding unauthorized access to the automated humanitarian aid accounting system. According to law enforcement, an unauthorized individual gained access to the system and entered information regarding the distribution of goods.

According to the investigation, the scheme operated from October 2025 to April 2026. Goods with a total value of over 57.1 million hryvnias were imported into Ukraine under 12 customs declarations; according to law enforcement, these goods were sold illegally. 

On October 12, 2026, the former customs officer was notified of the charges against him. In October, the prosecutor’s office filed a motion with the court to change the preventive measure, citing a clarification of the charges and additional charges.

The court ruled to keep the man in custody until October 30, 2026, and set bail at 16.64 million hryvnias. Sergei Kolesnikov, a former employee of the Odesa Customs Office, was named as the alleged organizer of the scheme. 

Анна Літман