Odesa region exposes SMS official who tried to make money by smuggling fugitives abroad
Kyiv • UNN
An official of the State Migration Service was detained in Odesa region who tried to organize the illegal transfer of conscripts to Moldova. He demanded $10,000 from each client for his services.
An official of one of the departments of the State Migration Service, who tried to organize a scheme to make money on evaders, was detained in Odesa region . This was reported by UNN with reference to the State Bureau of Investigation.
Details
Investigators found that in July 2024, the acting head of the SMS department began negotiations with a border guard to help him smuggle men with military service to the Republic of Moldova. He was supposed to help clients bypass the checkpoint.
Nevertheless, the man immediately reported the illegal offer to his management and informed law enforcement.
It is noted that the SMS official was looking for people to illegally leave the country through social networks and asked them for USD 10 thousand per person for his service. He agreed with three clients and took $30 thousand from them. He brought USD 9 thousand to the border guard.
In anticipation of easy profit, the defendant wrote a letter of wish, in which he wished for wealth and expected money to come into his life. However, on July 23, 2024, law enforcement officers detained the official while he was transferring the agreed amount. The three men, who were liable for military service, were handed over to border guards for further processing of administrative protocols
The agency added that the three men were handed over to border guards for further processing of administrative protocols
During the searches, over USD 20 thousand were found on the official's person. He was served a notice of suspicion of organizing illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine (Part 3 of Art. 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
According to the SBI, the issue of choosing a preventive measure and removing him from office is currently being decided. The man faces up to 9 years in prison.
Recall
In Ternopil region, law enforcement officers exposed a large-scale corruption scheme through which officials of the RTC and JV profited from tax evaders. The defendants were "earning" from $100,000 to $150,000 per month.