In Odesa, humanitarian aid intended for free distribution to those in need was being sold at the market

Law enforcement officers have uncovered a shadow scheme for selling humanitarian aid worth about 44 million hryvnias (€853,000).

This was reported by the press service of the National Police of Ukraine on its website.

According to the investigation, the illegal sale of free aid involved the heads of several charitable foundations and other individuals acting as sales managers, drivers, and financiers. Humanitarian aid intended for people affected by the war was being sold at the 7th Kilometer market in Odesa.

Law enforcement officers note that in practice the humanitarian shipments were used as commercial goods. What was supposed to be distributed free of charge to those in need was turned into a source of profit.

According to investigators, the suspects created controlled charitable foundations in order to receive aid from Turkey. In customs declarations, the shipments were registered as humanitarian assistance for displaced persons and war victims. After crossing the border, the goods were distributed among retail outlets and sold for cash.

The organizer of the scheme, according to police, is a former customs officer who used his connections and experience to build it. He allegedly involved dozens of people in the operation, including drivers and fictitious heads of foundations. Warehouse premises were rented to store and sell the goods.

During the investigation, officers found about 50 tons of imported and sold humanitarian aid worth more than 44 million hryvnias (€853,000).

On April 30, 71 searches were carried out in Odesa and the surrounding region, during which goods, equipment, and documents were seized.

Three members of the group were detained and notified of suspicion under an article covering the unlawful use of humanitarian aid for profit. The suspects may face up to seven years in prison. The issue of choosing preventive measures for them is now being decided.

Two years ago, humanitarian aid worth 170 million hryvnias (€3.3 million), imported for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, disappeared in Ukraine.