The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), together with the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), prevented the illegal issuance of phytosanitary certificates for agricultural products exported and imported from Ukraine. Corrupt officials “guaranteed” grain traders uninterrupted receipt of phytosanitary certificates of compliance of their products. In case of refusal to pay, they threatened to lengthen administrative procedures as much as possible.
Ukrainian services exposed a network of dishonest officials operating in the State Production and Consumer Service of two oblasts – Zaporozhye and Odessa. As many as 11 people were involved in this activity. According to a press release from the Ukrainian investigative services, officials illegally “collected millions of hryvnias from exporters every month.”
Accelerated issuance of phytosanitary certificates
In practice, dishonest officials extorted money for issuing phytosanitary certificates necessary for the export and import of agricultural products, as well as for preparing performance inspection certificates necessary for the export of barley and corn.
According to the local services, the network was well organized with a clear division of responsibilities, and in addition to officials, managers of brokerage companies who acted as intermediaries were also detained.
Large bribes when exporting agricultural produce from Ukraine
The investigation found that program participants demanded $0.4 for each ton of products exported.
According to SBI – According to preliminary estimates, “traders” received over USD 160,000 per month from illegal activities.
During the operation, the services carried out 60 searches in various regions of Ukraine, during which over 100,000 US dollars and 500,000 hryvnias from illegal activities were found and confiscated. Also confiscated were 8 premium cars, notebooks with a list of the distribution of amounts between program participants, as well as draft protocols and computer equipment on which the seized documents were prepared; other items and things that will serve as evidence in preparatory proceedings.
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