Odesa customs officers find $270,000 in hidden compartments of Mercedes minibus

Customs inspectors in Odesa region caught an attempt to illegally export a significant amount of foreign currency. Over $270,000 and €500 were found in a Mercedes minibus heading to Turkey. The funds were carefully concealed in the technical cavities of the body.

How the cash was hidden

According to the Odesa Customs Administration, the vehicle was driven by a Ukrainian citizen. During scanning at the Orlivka checkpoint, equipment detected anomalies in the vehicle's structure. This provided grounds for a detailed inspection conducted jointly with officers from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Odesa region.

During the check, hidden compartments were found in several locations: in the sills under the front doors, in hard-to-reach niches under the hood (specifically, near the cabin filter), and inside the headlight housings. To access the hidden funds, specialists had to dismantle certain components of the vehicle.

Packaging details and amount

The banknotes were wrapped in black socks, placed in polyethylene bags, and securely wrapped with adhesive tape. In total, the offender attempted to take out of the country without declaration $270,400 and €500.

Law enforcement decision

A protocol for violation of customs rules related to the movement of currency values with concealment from control has been drawn up. The foreign currency, valued at over 12 million hryvnia, along with the vehicle, has been temporarily seized.

A report on an unlawful act containing the signs of a crime under Article 201-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine has been sent to law enforcement agencies.