Law enforcement officers have exposed a large-scale smuggling channel of "jewelry" and Swiss watches

Law enforcement officers have exposed a large-scale smuggling channel of "jewelry" and Swiss watches

A smuggling network for luxury items, including Swiss watches and jewelry, with a total value of over 35 million UAH, was discovered in Ukraine. This smuggling was organized to avoid paying taxes and duties, and the goods were sold for cash and cryptocurrency without proper accounting.

This was reported by the Bureau of Economic Security (BES). Investigators established that the smuggling was organized by Ukrainian citizens who were in Poland. They found suppliers of luxury items, including:

• jewelry made of precious metals;
• diamonds of various sizes and qualities;
• premium Swiss watches.

To avoid paying customs duties, the goods were secretly moved across the border, bypassing customs control. Once imported into Ukraine, these items were sold in their own store without proper accounting and without tax payments.

During an operation at the "Ustyluh" customs post of the Volyn Customs, law enforcement officers conducted a search on a bus traveling from Warsaw to Kyiv. The search was carried out after customs clearance was completed when the bus was heading to Ukraine. In the personal belongings of the driver, detectives found and confiscated:

• watches from famous global brands;
• bracelets, pendants, and other jewelry items;
• watch parts.

The total value of the items seized during this operation amounted to over 10 million UAH. The investigation was not limited to searching the bus.

BES detectives conducted searches at the residences of the case suspects and the office of the company involved in selling smuggled goods. During these searches, they seized an additional 46 Swiss watches of various brands, with a preliminary total value of over 25 million UAH.

The total value of the seized smuggled goods currently stands at about 35 million UAH. Among the seized watches were products from well-known brands such as:

• Rolex;
• Patek Philippe;
• Audemars Piguet;
• Omega;
• Breitling.

Some models of the watches are limited in production and have high collectible value. A pre-trial investigation is currently underway, during which law enforcement is trying to identify all individuals involved in organizing the smuggling.

Under part 2 of article 201-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, criminal liability is provided for violations of customs regulations and tax evasion. The suspects may face long-term imprisonment and confiscation of all seized property.

As stated by the Bureau of Economic Security, eliminating such smuggling channels is an important step in ensuring the financial security of the state. Sellers of smuggled goods not only evade paying taxes but also create unfair conditions for legitimate businesses operating according to established rules.