In Chernivtsi, detectives of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine eliminated a smuggling channel for clothing, footwear and accessories of well-known brands. This was reported by the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine.
Investigators exposed a group of people who regularly smuggled goods such as clothing, footwear and accessories of well-known brands into Ukraine without paying taxes and customs duties. These individuals systematically violated the law by avoiding financial obligations to the state, which allowed them to smuggle goods worth significant amounts.
“The organiser of the scheme purchased products in the Republic of Turkey and transported them to the Romanian border. Later, 15-30 residents of Chernivtsi region carried the goods in their hand luggage across the border on foot and declared them as personal belongings for a monetary reward. During the day, they crossed the border up to 5 times and carried about 3 tonnes of goods,” the Bureau said.
After passing customs control, the ‘auxiliary persons’ loaded the goods into cars belonging to the organiser of the scheme. The vehicles were waiting at a checkpoint on the territory of Ukraine. After that, the illegally imported goods were sold through online stores, shopping centres and markets.
Detectives conducted authorised searches and seized illegally imported branded goods of foreign origin. Mobile phones and vehicles used to transport the contraband were also seized.
A preliminary assessment showed that the total value of the seized property is approximately UAH 6 million.
