Agricultural Cooperative Head Misuses Dairy Subsidies for Luxury Vehicle Purchase

A head of an agricultural production cooperative illegally obtained more than 50 million tenge in subsidies intended for dairy industry development, using the money to purchase an SUV, reports Orda.kz.

According to the Agency for Financial Monitoring (FMA), from May 2019 to March 2020, the entrepreneur submitted false documents about raw milk purchases. He then claimed to produce butter from this non-existent milk.

The farmer conducted no agricultural activities but received state budget finances.

The court invalidated the milk supply transactions. The financial investigation revealed that the suspect used the illegally obtained subsidies to purchase a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150. To hide it from possible confiscation, he registered the vehicle under a trusted person's name, the agency stated.

The court has already seized the vehicle, and the suspect has been detained for two months. The investigation continues.

Meanwhile, legitimate farmers have struggled to receive subsidies for years, facing repeated rejections from authorities. The state owes farmers 359.1 billion tenge, of which 194.8 billion remains on the waiting list.

Original Author: Alina Pak