A joint operation by the FCS anti-corruption unit and the Southern Customs Directorate uncovered a bribery scheme run by a deputy head of one of Russia’s electronic declaration centres. Source: FCS Russia.
Investigators say the official acted for cash and other rewards on behalf of dishonest foreign-trade participants. Abusing his authority, he arranged priority customs declarations with deliberately undervalued goods and without proper control measures.
Numerous instances of bribes — both in cash and as property — were documented. Preliminary estimates put damage to the federal budget at more than RUB 2 million.
Searches were carried out in several regions. Officers seized large amounts of cash, bank cards, documents and other evidence linking members of the criminal group.
A criminal case was opened under Article 290(5) of the Russian Criminal Code (receiving a large bribe). The offence carries a penalty of up to 12 years’ imprisonment.
