Detectives from the Bureau of Economic Security, together with National Police officers, have uncovered a scheme involving the illegal sale of vehicles brought into Ukraine for military needs.
Over the course of this year, the organiser of the operation managed to sell 71 cars, the press service of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) said.
To import the vehicles, the suspect used three charitable foundations under his control. At customs, he submitted documents stating that the transport was intended for Ukrainian defenders, which allowed him to avoid paying customs charges.
Instead of being sent to the front line, the vehicles were sold in Kyiv. The organiser posted sales adverts on the popular platforms «OLX» and «Auto.ria».
Law enforcement officers detained the suspect directly during the sale of another vehicle. During searches at his home, they seized two more cars.
The detainee has already been notified of suspicion on the charge of illegally using humanitarian aid for profit. A pre-trial investigation is currently under way.