In the Kyiv region, border guards together with the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police and customs officers uncovered a family scheme for the illegal import and sale of cars.
According to the State Border Guard Service, a father and son brought vehicles in from Europe under the guise of humanitarian aid for the military. They used a charity foundation to avoid paying customs duties and then sold the cars to private individuals for cash. The dealers found customers through themed groups in messaging apps.
During four searches, law enforcement officers seized 51 cars, mobile phones, rough accounting records and $10,000 with signs of being counterfeit. The total value of the seized property is estimated at about UAH 9.5m.
The suspects have already been served with notices of suspicion for the illegal use of humanitarian aid. A court ordered one of them held in custody with the option of bail set at UAH 1m. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.