Officers of Ukraine`s special service jointly with the regional prosecutor`s office have prevented the illegal export of more than 3 million cubic meters of timber from Odesa marine trade port to a European country, according to the press service of the Security Service`s regional division in Odesa.
”Organizers of the illegal business have attempted to export timber to one of the EU countries using forged documents about its origin. The timber was preliminarily estimated at about UAH 10 million,” the press service said.
Law enforcement officers at the port seized 109 40-foot sea-shipping containers based on a decision of the Prymorsky district court in Odesa.
A criminal case has been opened under Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of power or official status). The investigation is under way, as was reported. Law enforcers are verifying the legal origin of timber.
The regional prosecutor`s office also reported it had undertaken procedural lead in the criminal case relating to the abuse of power by officials of a number of companies, who had organized illegal timber exports at an understated cost of goods (Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
