Ukraine has uncovered a large-scale scheme of illegal importation of diamonds and expensive jewelry from the United Arab Emirates. According to the investigation, a current employee of Zakarpattia Customs was involved in the smuggling channel, transporting valuables across the border together with his wife without declaration and payment of mandatory fees.
This was reported on November 10 by the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General's Office.
According to law enforcement, the scheme operated throughout 2022-2026. A group of individuals organized the systematic importation into Ukraine of precious stones and exclusive jewelry, including items with rare natural diamonds.
One of the key participants in the scheme, according to the investigation, was an employee of Zakarpattia Customs. Together with his wife, he transported valuables across the state border, hiding them from customs control. This allowed the organizers to avoid paying customs and other mandatory fees.
Illegally imported diamonds were handed over to trusted persons who used them for unaccounted manufacturing of jewelry under their own brand. Finished products were sold through a jewelry boutique in Kyiv, which, according to the investigation, belongs to the organizers of the scheme.
Thus, the group members, according to the Bureau of Economic Security, established a full cycle of illegal business - from the importation of precious stones without customs clearance to the manufacture and sale of jewelry.
On November 1, law enforcement stopped the activity of the smuggling channel. In particular, they prevented another attempt to illegally import valuables through the checkpoints of Zakarpattia Customs.
As part of the investigation, detectives of the Bureau of Economic Security conducted nine sanctioned searches, including of a car, a jewelry workshop, and the boutique through which the jewelry was sold.
During the investigative actions, diamonds, precious stones, and jewelry with an estimated total value of over 1 million US dollars were seized.
Detectives are currently establishing the full circle of individuals involved, the volumes of illegal movement of valuables, and the circumstances of the operation of the scheme. The State Customs Service is assisting the investigation.
The Prosecutor General's Office noted that the final amount of damages caused to the state will be determined after the necessary expert examinations. Therefore, the value of the seized valuables is not the established amount of budget losses.
The criminal proceeding is being investigated under the facts of abuse of power or official position (Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and smuggling of goods (Part 2 of Article 201-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Procedural guidance is being provided by prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's Office, and operational support is provided by the Security Service of Ukraine.
The issue of notifying the involved persons of suspicion will be decided after the necessary investigative actions. Pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
Sources: Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine, Prosecutor General's Office
