Large-scale timber smuggling: an attempt to export pine trees abroad is exposed
25 November 14:49
Law enforcement officers uncovered and stopped one of the largest illegal timber export schemes in recent years. A private enterprise tried to export 17 railroad cars of high-quality pine wood disguised as firewood to Romania. The Prosecutor General’s Office announced the termination of the illegal activity, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to the investigation, the company was deliberately preparing illegal exports against the backdrop of the upcoming ban on the export of fuel wood, which will come into force on November 21, 2025.
The company purchased more than 1,500 cubic meters of wood in advance and loaded it into railcars in Kyiv region, planning to smuggle it across the border.
During an in-depth customs inspection, law enforcement officers found that instead of the declared fuelwood, the railcars contained business pine wood, the export of which is prohibited. The raw material was carefully disguised to look like ordinary firewood.
As of now, 9 railcars have been inspected:
- more than 2,000 logs of business pine ranging in diameter from 15 to 54 cm were found;
- the volume of the illegal cargo is 165 cubic meters;
- the estimated value is over UAH 1 million.
Inspections are ongoing in four regions, where another 8 railcars that may contain similar cargo are being checked.
The pre-trial investigation is being carried out under Part 2 of Article 201-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – smuggling of timber prohibited for export.
The law enforcement agencies continue to document all the circumstances of the scheme and identify the persons involved.
