Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has found out that some customs officials from Zakarpattia were involved in gadget smuggling.
The country's FBI counterpart said that there was an illegal import of smartphones, laptops, and other electronics worth UAH 112 million (more than $3 million).
Customs Officials Smuggled Electronics Worth Millions of Dollars
Some Zakarpattia customs officials might be involved in the smuggling of electronics worth over $3 million.
According to a report by MENAFN, the authorities suspected that two customs officials had facilitated the illegal import of electronics in Zakarpattia, Ukraine.
The recent investigation by SBI with the help of the Bureau of Economic Security and National Police has confirmed that the Luzhanka Customs Post head is the one who led the illicit activity.
Because of this, Ukraine's law enforcement agency has pressed charges against the chief state inspector and the deputy chief of the organization.
It should be noted that this illegal import of gadgets is not allowed in the country because the involved people won't be paying customs fees.
Moreover, the investigations found out that the truck full of electronics managed to pass through the "green corridor" without any violation. The vehicle reportedly came all the way from Hungary last summer, according to SBI.
When the law enforcers began to explore the truck after some anonymous people tipped the activity, they discovered that the gadgets such as smartwatches and smartphones are all there.
They estimated that the final value of the smuggled devices is worth more than UAH 112 million.
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What's Next After Arresting the Suspects?
Ukrinform reports that the authorities will punish the customs officers with up to six years of imprisonment if they are found guilty.
The law enforcers add that the two officials have two different federal charges. The state inspector is allegedly involved in transacting with the smugglers while the deputy chief is negligent to his responsibility.
Aside from that, the Bureau of Economic Security will also sanction other involved people in the illegal import of gadgets.
The confiscated devices will be placed under the care of Ukrainian Armed Forces.
This is not the first scheme that was disclosed this February 2023 in Ukraine. A few weeks ago, the SBI and the Security Service of Ukraine seized the Zhytomyr customs office over allegations of corruption.
It was found out that the individuals who have participated in the scheme have stolen UAH 3.5 million or over $95,000 from the state's budget.
In other news, Tech Times reported that the Interpol in Moscow arrested Christopher Emms, a UK resident who managed to evade US sanctions.
The 31-year-old British is believed to be assisting the North Korean government in bypassing the sanctions through cryptos and blockchain technology.
Because of the conspiracy, Emms could potentially face imprisonment time that could last for two decades.
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