Corruption flow at Lviv customs: how the smuggling scheme was exposed

A large-scale smuggling scheme has been uncovered at the Lviv customs, which for years generated revenue for both local criminal groups and corrupt officials. 

The turning point was the confirmation by the Polish side of the fact of illegal import of expensive goods disguised as waste or used items. This was reported by journalist Yevhen Plynsky.

How it all began

At the end of last week, Polish customs authorities responded to a request from the State Customs Service of Ukraine (SCS) regarding the closure of an export declaration for an IVECO minibus with the number KNX004210016. According to Polish data, the vehicle was transporting goods worth hundreds of thousands of euros, which were declared as useless junk with fake photographs upon entry into Ukraine.

Consequences for customs

This incident requires a full inspection of similar trucks that systematically crossed the border under the control of the Lviv customs. According to expert estimates, this involves billions of hryvnia in losses for the budget and hundreds of millions of hryvnia in bribes. The exposure of the scheme could lead to the dismissal not only of the customs leadership but also of key figures in the anti-smuggling departments, the risk management department, and other structures.

NABU enters the game

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has already initiated an investigation and is actively gathering information. Under pressure from the public and the Financial Committee of the Parliament, the operation of "grey" minibuses has been completely halted.

Paralysis at the border

Due to the blockage of illegal supplies, large batches of goods have accumulated in Polish warehouses, which cannot cross the border without paying taxes. However, the participants of the scheme, accustomed to the "black fund", are not ready to switch to legal terms of operation. The customs, in turn, also does not want to lose its illegal income.