SBU CI Department officers prevented in Zhytomyr region the sale of highly toxic hazardous substance – metallic mercury in especially large amount.

Two residents of Korosten district planned the sale of a large consignment of mercury. The offenders searched clients among their friends. In order to sale as soon as possible toxic "goods", they put a minimum price on it – for each kilogram they planned to get USD 100.

The dealers equipped caches with mercury at the place of residence of one of them in Korosten. During the sanctioned investigative actions, law enforcement officers detected two caches: plastic and glass containers with 6 kilograms of toxic substances, and a metal cylinder with 26 kilograms of mercury were buried near the garage of one of the detainees.

According to experts ' conclusions, such storage of mercury could lead to its runout and occurrence of an emergency.

In addition, during searches, law enforcement officers also found weapons, ammunition and a sample of selected amber, the cost of which starts from USD 1 thousand.

The criminal proceeding is initiated under Part 4 Art. 321, Part 1 Art. 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The operation was conducted jointly with the Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.