Machinists drained fuel through an underground hatch
Law enforcement officers exposed locomotive crew employees of JSC Ukrzaliznytsia in Mykolaiv region who organized a scheme for the systematic misappropriation of diesel fuel. The suspects were caught red-handed during another draining of fuel and lubricants. This is reported by the portal PromPolitInform, citing information from Police of Mykolaiv Oblast.
A 41-year-old machinist and his 39-year-old assistant living in the city of Voznesensk were found to be involved in the illegal activity. According to the investigation, the perpetrators operated at one of the railway stations using special pumps, hoses, and hidden pipes.
To implement their criminal intent, the suspects arranged an underground hatch through which they pumped fuel from the locomotive into pre-prepared containers located in a nearby room. Subsequently, the stolen products were sold to third parties in Voznesensk district for further resale, and the proceeds were split among themselves.
Large-scale searches and seized funds
To conceal the shortage of fuel and lubricants, the suspects entered false reporting into the official service documentation of the state enterprise. According to preliminary estimates by the investigation, the illegal scheme operated for more than half a year, with the suspects appropriating about 300 liters of fuel per outing.
During the documentation of the illegal activity, law enforcement officers conducted more than 40 authorized searches in office premises, the suspects’ residences, and vehicles. As a result of the investigative actions, nearly 1,900 liters of diesel fuel, over 10,000 US dollars, and more than 495,000 hryvnias in cash were discovered and seized.
Pre-trial restrictions and investigation
In addition to fuel and money, law enforcement officers seized storage containers, pumping equipment, vehicles, service documentation, and rough records. The suspects were detained pursuant to Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
Investigators served the detainees with a notice of suspicion of misappropriation of someone else’s property committed by a prior conspiracy of a group of persons under martial law under Part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of up to eight years with a ban on holding certain positions.
Photo: Police of Mykolaiv Oblast
