SBU exposes medicine scheme for Defense Forces with damages of UAH 80 million

The military counterintelligence of the SBU announced the liquidation of a large-scale scheme selling medicines to budget medical institutions, including those serving the needs of the Defense Forces, at artificially inflated prices. According to the investigation, the damage to the state budget exceeded UAH 80 million.

As part of the operation, four representatives of commercial structures were detained in Kyiv and Lviv regions, as well as in Dnipro.

The SBU claims that primarily drugs and medical supplies used for patient resuscitation, in anesthesiology and intensive care, as well as for the treatment of complex infections, are involved.

According to the case materials, members of the scheme purchased medicines directly from manufacturers and importers, after which they resold them to budget medical institutions.

Moreover, according to the investigation, the final prices exceeded the maximum trade markup set by the state in the amount of 10%.

Law enforcement agencies also documented the use of affiliated enterprises. The SBU states that through them, the defendants formed artificial tax credits, after which illegitimately obtained funds were cashed out.

During the investigation, law enforcement conducted 16 searches at the suspects' residences and at offices of related companies.

In the course of investigative actions, documents, computer equipment, mobile phones, bank cards, seals and electronic media were seized. The SBU believes the discovered materials contain evidence of the scheme's functioning.

The four detainees were notified of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - misappropriation, embezzlement or seizure of property through abuse of official position, committed on a particularly large scale or by an organized group.

Currently, the issue of choosing a pre-trial restriction for the suspects in the form of detention is being resolved.

The investigation continues. Law enforcement agencies are identifying other individuals who may have been involved in the scheme. If guilt is proven, the defendants face up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

According to materials from: Security Service of Ukraine