The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating illegal customs clearance of cars at zero rate at Lviv customs after the cancellation of the preferential treatment

The State Bureau of Investigations systematically counteracts corruption offenses of officials who during martial law forget about the state interests and line their own pockets.

As part of this work, the SBI employees opened criminal proceeding against Lviv Customs officials who illegally freed cars imported from abroad from customs duties.

On July 1, 2022, the Verkhovna Rada abolished its decision to exempt vehicles imported into the country from customs duties, but employees of one of the customs posts of Lviv Customs "did not notice" this. Based on operational information, they were clearing imported cars at zero rate for almost a week in July.

Under this scheme, the offenders managed to import to Ukraine more than 60 vehicles without paying customs duties, which resulted in millions of hryvnias of customs duties not being paid to the budget. The total amount of damages is being established.

The SBI employees conducted searches on the territory of the customs post, as well as in the residences of the former head of Lviv Customs and his deputies.

Copies of documents and draft records, mobile phones and cash were seized. The investigation is ongoing.

Criminal proceedings were initiated over abuse of power and forgery (Part 2 Art. 364, Part 2 Art. 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanctions of the articles provide for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 6 years.

Procedural guidance is provided by the Lviv Region Prosecutor's Office.