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Recent events have shed light on rampant customs scandals in Ukraine. Customs officers thwarted a massive currency smuggling attempt valued at 1.7 million UAH destined for Canada, showcasing ongoing challenges in combating illegal transactions. Meanwhile, in a high-profile investigation, the Energy Customs chief, Anatolii Komar, has been suspended as authorities probe allegations of his family building a lavish mansion during the war. In a separate incident, a senior customs official was detained for orchestrating a bribery scheme involving draft dodgers, highlighting systemic corruption. These incidences underscore the pressing need for transparency and reform in Ukraine's customs operations, as corruption continues to undermine credibility and economic stability.

What was the value of currency smuggled to Canada?

The customs officers intercepted a parcel containing foreign currency worth 1.7 million UAH. This incident underscores the ongoing battle against illegal financial transactions at customs, as authorities work tirelessly to prevent such breaches of economic security.

Why was the Energy Customs chief suspended in Ukraine?

Anatolii Komar, the head of Energy Customs, was suspended due to investigations into his family's assets. Allegations suggest they constructed a mansion worth 70 million UAH during wartime, sparking controversy and initiating official scrutiny to verify these claims.

How did customs officials attempt to profit from draft dodgers?

A deputy director within the State Customs Service was detained for exploiting draft dodgers. This official allegedly profited from fraudulent schemes by facilitating illegal exemptions, which illustrates the ongoing anti-corruption efforts essential for upholding legal integrity at borders.

What are the implications of customs corruption in Ukraine?

Corruption in Ukrainian customs severely undermines economic integrity and public trust. The ongoing scandals, including smuggling and bribery schemes, highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to eliminate malpractices and restore the credibility of customs operations, ensuring lawful trade practices.

What actions are being taken against customs corruption?

The Ukrainian government is initiating investigations and audits into customs operations. Public scrutiny, suspensions, and arrests of implicated officials are part of broader anti-corruption efforts aimed at reforming the customs system to prevent illicit activities and promote transparency.

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Сustoms reform to be accomplished within one year, - Hroisman Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Hroisman claims a large-scale reform of the Ukrainian customs office will kick off within a month. 7 167 92 Ukrainian Politics

гройсман hroisman “We’ll start developing true professional civil service in Ukraine from May 1,” Ukraine’s PM Hroisman The law on Ukraine’s public service comes into force May 1. 20 631 90 Previously in trend: Hroisman's Cabinet

номера Ukraine bans entry for Russian vehicles with license plates issued in occupied Crimea. DOCUMENT (in Ukrainian) Vehicles with Russian license plates that were issued in occupied Crimea and Sevastopol are denied entry to the territory of Ukraine. 34 380 89 Incidents

саакашвили Saakashvili accused customs office of sabotage Head of the Odesa Regional State Administration Mikheil Saakashvili accuses customs office management of sabotage. 49 574 82 Ukrainian Politics

Arrested Head of South Customs was Preparing Money for Head of Customs Service Arrested Head of South Customs was Preparing Money for Head of Customs Service Arrested head of the South Customs Oleksandr Vdovychenko was supposed to pass the confiscated money in the hands of the Customs Head and his fellow sponsor Ihor Kaletnik. 27 671 82 Ukrainian Politics

Cabinet introduces single formula in customs clearance, Ukraine's PM says Today, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine introduces a common approach and a single formula in customs clearance of goods. 24 146 81 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine

Ex-customs officer Aminev charged with major theft bailed out Ex-customs officer Aminev charged with major theft bailed out Ex-member of the Odesa-based customs office, Denys Aminev charged with the theft of 37 containers with goods worth 140 million hryvnia (almost $5 million) was released on bail of just 1.7 million hryvnia (about $60,300). 4 909 79 Incidents

No search conducted in Marushevska’s apartment, PGO investigates Odesa customs officials’ actions in 2015-2016, - spokeswoman for prosecutor general Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) is probing into the actions of the Odesa customs officials over the period between November 2015 and November 2016. Corrupt practices revealed in the agency caused damage to the state worth 6.92 million hryvnia (over $257,000). 12 488 77 Incidents

марушевская Four Odesa customs officers caught on forgery, - Head Marushevska Odesa customs head Yuliia Marushevska has sent the materials of an official probe into the forgery of documents by customs officers and an "uncontrolled export of timber" in 16 containers from Ukraine to China to the regional prosecutor's office. 19 088 75 Incidents

Lviv Customs Acting Deputy Head Borysov nabbed at bribe taking, - source Acting Deputy Head of Lviv Customs Yurii Borysov was apprehended while accepting $5,000 in bribe. 27 169 72 Previously in trend: Grafters

мода,модель,бренд,стиль,одяг Odesa customs "dressed" 122nd brigade of territorial defense in Brioni and Versace suits, and also in Louis Vitton and Prada jackets and jeans, - Butusov. DOCUMENT The Security Service of Ukraine is checking the actions of the head of the Odesa customs Zakolodyazhny, who handed over a large consignment of branded clothing and footwear of world famous brands to the 122nd Odesa Territorial Defense Brigade without customs clearance. 57 946 68 Incidents

митниця Cabinet of Ministers dismissed management of Customs Service, - mass media The Cabinet of Ministers dismissed acting head of the customs service Vyacheslav Demchenko, first deputy head Oleksandr Shchutskyi and deputy head Ruslan Cherkasky. 14 854 68 Ukrainian Politics

Обшуки ОГП та СБУ на митниці SSU and PGO conduct 28 searches of top officials who forced "paid tribute" to regional customs. PHOTOS The Prosecutor General's Office jointly with the SSU detained the head of the Department of Departmental Security and Control of the State Customs Service and his deputy, as well as the deputy head of a regional customs office, for systematic extortion and receiving illegal benefits. 14 246 66

Corrupt officials leave Odesa customs as rules change, - authority head Marushevska Head of the Odesa customs Yuliia Marushevska focused efforts on establishing clear procedures, recruiting fair people, and firing those accustomed to receiving bribes rather than work. 16 838 57 Previously in trend: Odesa Governor Saakashvili

Yatseniuk promises Saakashvili excess customs revenue for development of Odesa region Prime Minister Arsenii Yatseniuk proposed an experiment - to divide excess revenue of the Odessa regional customs equally between the state budget and the budget of the Odesa region. 15 093 56 Previously in trend: Odesa Governor Saakashvili

саакашвили "SBU declared war on us after we cut off their corrupt income sources in Odesa," - Saakashvili Head of the Odesa Regional State Administration Mikheil Saakashvili says he has been under surveillance of the Security Service of Ukraine and is set to refuse from its protection. 28 536 56 Previously in trend: Odesa Governor Saakashvili

The former South Customs Head Arrested with 870,000 USD is Qualified as a Witness The former South Customs Head Arrested with 870,000 USD is Qualified as a Witness Former South Customs head Oleksandr Vdovychenko whose car and office contained 870,000 dollars was made a witness in the criminal case regarding his subordinates. 8 127 54 Incidents

контрабанда,готівка Man tried to bring UAH 8 million in cash to Ukraine - State Customs Service. PHOTO A 37-year-old Ukrainian tried to bring a large amount of cash hryvnia into Ukraine, but he was stopped at the Ustyluh post (Volyn region) during customs control. 15 725 53 Incidents

Chief inspector of Yahodyn customs point detained upon receiving $1,300 in bribe, - PGO Officers for criminal investigation and corruption fighting of the Security Service of Ukraine detained on Aug. 12 chief inspector of Yahodyn customs point in the Volyn' customs office under suspicion of bribe acceptance of $1,300. 14 557 52 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine

сбу SSU and SBI conduct searches across entire customs vertical: About 50 subjects were identified who helped customs officers implement shadow schemes. PHOTOS The SSU and the State Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with the Prosecutor General’s Office conduct searches at customs. 11 519 51 Incidents

US and Ukraine to start joint training program Ukraine and U.S. discussed the effectiveness of the joint training programs and the American support in equipping Ukrainian customs and border guards. 5 369 47 Ukrainian Politics

митниця,мито SBI detains former head of Chornomorsk-port customs post - Arakhamia Today, on February 8, State Bureau of Investigation detained former head of Odesa Oblast customs post. 7 034 46 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine

Police Searched the Opposition Member’s Receiving Office in Chernovtsy Oblast Police Searched the Opposition Member’s Receiving Office in Chernovtsy Oblast Verkhovnaya Rada deputy and first vice chairman of BYUT fraction Sergey Sobolev claims that police organized a search in his public receiving office in Novoselitse (Chernovtsy oblast) after he told the public about sale of customs posts in the oblast. 10 187 45 Ukrainian Politics

южанина yuzhanina Cabinet’s decree No.724 caused substantial damage to state; no one asked MPs' opinion, - Parliamentary Tax Committee Head Committee on Tax and Customs Policy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine filed an appeal to Prime Minister Arsenii Yatseniuk to denounce the decree No.724 (submitted by the State Fiscal Service), which allows customs offices to set their own rates of customs clearance for goods, ignoring contractual value. 27 233 43 Ukrainian Politics

Media reports on Energy Customs head Komar’s wealth: Svyrydenko’s response Family of Energy Customs head Komar built UAH 70 million mansion during war: Svyrydenko orders verification of facts published by media Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has ordered an investigation into the allegations, including those in journalistic investigations, concerning Anatolii Komar, head of Ukraine’s Energy Customs. 3 111 41 Previously in trend: Property of a State Customs Service official

Yanukovych Joined Tax Service and Customs Yanukovych Joined Tax Service and Customs Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has signed a decree number 726/2012 "On some measures to optimize the system of central bodies of executive power." 18 823 41 Ukrainian Politics

Cabinet to announce competition for new tax and customs services CEOs Cabinet to announce competition for new tax and customs services CEOs The Cabinet of Ministers inviteв applications for the posts of the heads of the State Tax and State Customs Services, appointing them on April 16, 2019. 2 058 39 Economics

"All corrupt practices at all customs to be unveiled," - Cabinet creates interregional customs office to combat smuggling Interregional customs office will be created as part of the State Fiscal Service (GFS) in order to boost the fight against smuggling. 13 378 38 Ukrainian Politics

Klymenko and the Family Strengthen Control Over Communists in Customs Klymenko and the Family Strengthen Control Over Communists in Customs Minister of Revenue and Duties of Ukraine Oleksandr Klymenko will create focal points to monitor the Communist representatives in the Customs. 20 008 37 Ukrainian Politics

Rada passes bill on single-window system at customs offices Rada passes bill on single-window system at customs offices Ukrainian parliament adopted the bill introducing the single-window system at the customs office branches. 11 499 37 Ukrainian Politics

марушевская Odesa customs chief Marushevska sues SFS Head Nasirov Chief of Odesa customs Yulia Marushevska has sued Head of the State Fiscal Service Roman Nasirov. 29 694 36 Ukrainian Politics

взятка Kharkiv customs officer nabbed accepting 290,000 hryvnia in bribe, - SBU. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) jointly with the prosecutor's office have exposed employees of the customs point "Pisochyn" of the Kharkiv customs office as being on the take. 22 828 35 Previously in trend: Grafters

парламент "Tax squirrels" returned to their bases, replaced by "ghost busters" from SBU, - parliament discusses changes at customs office "Tax squirrels" (tax officers that have been covering for illegal export of walnuts from Ukraine) at customs office of Ukraine have been replaced by "SBU gangs." 29 594 35 Ukrainian Politics

митниця Odesa customs officers seized American CESSNA plane at checkpoint. PHOTOS Odesa customs officers seized an American plane CESSNA 182R from a man at the "Starokozache-Tudor" checkpoint, which he was transporting to Moldova on a trailer. 23 097 34 Economics

Customs reboot has been derailed. Zheleznyak reveals details Authorities have completely derailed customs reboot, which cost us about 50 billion hryvnias, - Zheleznyak. VIDEO Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko derails the reboot of the State Customs Service on the instructions of the President's Office. 7 833 36 Previously in trend: Customs reforms

Mobile teams will not solve problems at customs. We need political will, - Tuka A special interdepartmental unit for monitoring the work of Ukrainian customs will not be able to solve the problem of illegal customs clearance of goods. 11 027 32 Incidents

кордон,румунія They tried to transport almost ton of contraband to Ukraine by bus. When it was discovered, drivers almost ran away with belongings of passengers. VIDEO&PHOTOS The drivers of a bus from Izmir to Kharkiv operated by Nicholas-TransAuto LLC tried to smuggle 900 kg of illegal cargo into Ukraine. When border guards demanded that they pay a duty of $1,800-$2,000, the drivers almost escaped with the passengers’ belongings and documents. 10 304 31 Incidents

Львівська митниця 8% of Lviv customs officers have disability certificates Lviv Customs employs about 100 people with disabilities. This is 8% of all customs officers in Lviv region. It is not known how many of them became disabled after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. In total, Lviv Customs has 1255 employees. 6 273 30

шептицький 1.7 million for appointment to senior positions at customs office: NABU serves notice of suspicion to Ruvin’s stepson, director of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise. PHOTO (updated) The NABU and SAPO prevented an attempt by a group of individuals to "put the right people in charge" of territorial offices of the State Customs Service to organise corruption schemes. 12 425 30 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine

взятка Two heads of Kharkiv customs apprehended while taking bribe of 10,000 UAH. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine together with prosecutor's office have apprehended two mid-level executives of Kupiansk customs office, the Kharkiv region. 14 128 27 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine

Ukrainian busted carrying over 100 antique items across border with Poland. PHOTOS Ukrainian busted carrying over 100 antique items across border with Poland. PHOTOS Workers of the Halytska customs office detained a Ukrainian citizen who was crossing the border with Poland carrying more than a hundred pieces of antique. 5 496 27 Incidents

взятка Odesa customs officer nabbed while accepting $800 in bribe, - prosecuting authority. PHOTOS The investigators of the Odesa region Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with officers of the Regional Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine and members of the Internal Security Department of the Regional Directorate of the State Fiscal Service apprehended a customs official as he was receiving a bribe on Jan. 30. 12 458 25 Previously in trend: Grafters

“Fight against smuggling at customs already yields dividends: Ukraine’s budget now receives funds once lining someone’s pockets,” - Hroisman The fight against smuggling and restoration of order at the customs offices is already yielding dividends. 6 159 24 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine

Reforms of State Fiscal Service and customs office are most important in cooperation between Ukraine and U.S. Department of Commerce, - Yatseniuk During his visit to the United States of America, former Ukrainian PM and leader of People's Front Arsenii Yatseniuk reminded about the strategy on attracting U.S. investments into Ukrainian economy, signed last year. 3 207 24 Ukrainian Politics

Customs inspector smuggled men to Poland Lviv customs inspector took 4 men of military age to Poland in her car - SBI An inspector of one of the Lviv customs posts, who organised the smuggling of four men of military age across the border, has been notified of suspicion. 12 215 26

customs officer detained on bribe Head of customs post in Lviv region, who "covered black imports" of electronics to Ukraine, detained on receiving $23,000 bribe - SSU. PHOTO The Security Service and the National Police detained the head of a customs post in Lviv region. 6 852 21 Previously in trend: Grafters

Nefiodov appointed head of State Customs Service of Ukraine Nefiodov appointed head of State Customs Service of Ukraine Maksym Nefiodov has been appointed the head of State Customs Service of Ukraine. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided so during its Friday session. 2 278 19 Ukrainian Politics

янтарь марушевская amber marushevska 59 kilos of smuggled amber worth of 9 million UAH seized at Odesa customs. PHOTOS A woman carrying 59 kilos of amber was detained in the Odesa airport. 16 340 19 Incidents

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