Vitebsk customs officers uncovered a criminal scheme for the import and involvement in illegal circulation of 13 tractors and semi-trailers

A criminal scheme for the import and involvement in illegal circulation of 13 tractors and semi-trailers was uncovered by Vitebsk customs officers.

A criminal case has been initiated under Part 2 of Article 231 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus for evasion of customs payments on a large scale, the defendants of which face imprisonment for up to 6 years. Two citizens of the Russian Federation, acting in prior conspiracy with other persons, are involved in the implementation of the scheme.

The vehicles were imported from Lithuania and were supposed to follow to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan under the customs transit procedure opened in Belarus. They never reached their destination within the specified period.

Two tractors with VIN numbers altered to Russian ones, which was confirmed by forensic examination, have already been detained by Vitebsk customs officers during operational-search activities. Verification measures are being carried out for the others.

The total amount of unpaid customs duties for all vehicles amounted to more than 380 thousand rubles.

Based on materials from Vitebsk Customs