In Dnipropetrovsk region, the SBI has exposed large-scale extortion schemes by the management of state laboratories on food markets

19/03/2024

The employees of the SBI in cooperation with the National Police of Ukraine have served notification of suspicion to the former head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional state laboratory of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

The suspect began managing the regional state laboratory at the end of 2022. In fact, immediately after being appointed to the position, the woman began to actively "earn" from the merchants.

She informed the subordinate heads of laboratories of veterinary and sanitary expertise that from now on everyone would work on the main task - the systematic bribe-taking from the sellers of agricultural products. Those who were against such "innovations," she threatened disciplinary actions.

The subordinate officials had to allow the sale of products on the markets of Dnipropetrovsk region without laboratory tests, at the same time issuing expert conclusions for money. The cost of such a "fake conclusion," without which sellers were not allowed to sell, amounted to an average of 500 hryvnas for the sale of meat products. They also took money for the opportunity to sell dairy products, vegetables and fruits.

The suspect involved her own father and two subordinates in her criminal activities. They helped to collect tribute on the markets.

It was established, that in just 6 months of 2023, entrepreneurs who had been selling their products gave bribes to the members of the group for more than 3.5 million hryvnas.

During the authorized searches, almost 1.8 million hryvnas in different currencies were seized from the suspects.

Currently, the former official is suspected of receiving unlawful benefits by an official (Part 3, 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the Article provides for imprisonment for up to 12 years with confiscation of property.

The issue of choosing a measure of restraint in the form of detention in custody is being decided.

The materials regarding her accomplices are allocated to the separate criminal proceedings. Currently, the indictments against them have already been sent to the court.

The procedural guidance is provided by the Dnipropetrovsk Region Prosecutor's Office.