At the Zakarpattia Customs Office, authorities uncovered systematic smuggling into Ukraine of diamonds, precious stones and exclusive jewellery from abroad.
This was reported by the Prosecutor General’s Office.
According to the investigation, a group of individuals carried out illegal activity between 2022 and 2026, involving a serving employee of the Zakarpattia Customs Office. Together with his wife, he facilitated the movement of valuables across the state border while concealing them from customs control.
Subsequently, the diamonds, other precious stones and exclusive jewellery items, including pieces set with rare natural diamonds, were sold under their own brand through a jewellery boutique in Kyiv owned by the scheme’s organisers.
During searches of a car, a jewellery workshop and the boutique, law enforcement officers seized precious stones and jewellery with an estimated value of more than US$1 million.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The issue of serving suspicion notices on those involved is being decided.