The SBI exposed the chief manager of Kyiv Customs on embezzlement of smartphones and household goods worth UAH 40 million (VIDEO)

The SBI, with the active assistance of the Kyiv Customs, served a notice of suspicion to the head of the administrative and economic activities department of the Kyiv Customs of systematic embezzlement of subordinate property.

In 2020-2021, the customs officer developed at least three schemes to misappropriate electronics of a well-known brand, construction and household goods totaling more than UAH 40 million, which were stored in customs warehouses.

In order to smuggle smartphones out of the customs warehouses, the official and his accomplices made fakes to replace real phones. The dummies were indistinguishable in appearance and weight from the original products.

To smuggle the construction materials, the accomplices prepared bags that looked like bags of construction materials but were filled with foam.

Thus, the household goods were taken out of the customs warehouse without drawing up any acceptance certificates.

During the searches, the customs officer was found to have a certificate of a person with a disability, which allowed him to cross the border freely, in particular to sell the stolen goods. The official managed to sell the bulk of the goods in Ukraine.

The customs officer was served a notice of suspicion of stealing another person's property, committed repeatedly, by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, combined with breaking and entering (Part 4 Art. 185, Part 5 Art. 185 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The articles provide for imprisonment for up to 12 years with confiscation of property.

The issue of choosing a measure of restraint and compensation for the detainees is currently being decided.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The full range of persons involved in the crime is being identified.

The Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office is providing procedural supervision.