In Lviv region, customs officials and a Tesla driver received suspended sentences for transporting individuals attempting to cross the border illegally.
In the Lviv region, customs officials and their accomplice, who organized the illegal transportation of men to Poland using foreign passports, were given suspended sentences. According to the investigation, the pair charged clients approximately $15,000 for the illegal border crossing. The court also ordered the confiscation of the Tesla vehicle used for the transportation.
The Starosambir District Court issued a verdict against a customs official and his accomplice, who were found guilty of organizing the illegal transportation of men of draft age to Poland using foreign passports.
According to the investigation, in December 2025, the customs official, along with a border guard and a familiar person who had legitimate reasons to travel abroad, transported at least five men using Tesla and Skoda Kodiaq vehicles. The border guard entered false information into the electronic system, and the men used their real passports while in Poland.
They were taking approximately $15,000 from clients for illegal border crossings. In total, the border guard received $25,000 for the described cases. In February 2026, the participants of the scheme attempted to transport another person, but they were apprehended by law enforcement.
Both defendants pleaded guilty, reached agreements with prosecutors, and agreed to provide testimony about other participants in the scheme. The court sentenced them to five years in prison each, but with a period of probation. The customs officer received a three-year probation period, while the Tesla driver received two years. In addition, the customs officer was prohibited from holding public office for three years. According to the terms of the agreements, the convicted individuals must donate over 1.1 million UAH to defense-related needs. The Tesla Model S vehicle, which was used for transporting the men, was also confiscated.