Members of a criminal group sold medical supplies for the Defence Forces by exceeding regulated price limits
The Security Service of Ukraine has dismantled a large-scale corruption scheme involving the procurement of medical supplies for healthcare facilities and the Defence Forces. The damages caused to the state budget are estimated at over 80 million hryvnias. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Сергій Козачук) citing Security Service of Ukraine, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Law enforcement officers detained four individuals acting as representatives of commercial entities in the Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv, and Kyiv regions. The perpetrators purchased medicinal products from manufacturers and importers before reselling them to state hospitals at inflated prices.
During the sale of these goods, the participants of the scheme ignored the state-mandated price cap, which should not exceed 10 percent. The transactions primarily involved critical medications, including agents for anaesthesiology, intensive care, patient resuscitation, and drugs for treating complex infections.
In addition to unlawful pricing, the suspects utilized a network of controlled enterprises to generate a fake tax credit. These tools enabled them to convert illegally obtained funds into cash.
Evidence and procedural actions
During 16 searches conducted at the residential addresses and office premises of the suspects, law enforcement officers seized electronic storage devices, mobile phones, computer hardware, and bank cards. They also discovered stamps and financial documentation confirming the illegal activities.
The detainees have been notified of suspicion for committing a crime under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This involves the misappropriation or embezzlement of property on an especially large scale, committed by an organized group.
The court is currently deciding on pre-trial detention measures for the suspects. Under current legislation, the members of the scheme face up to 12 years of imprisonment with mandatory asset confiscation.
Photo: ssu.gov.ua
