SBU stopped smuggling of large amber pieces (5.4 kg in total) to an Arab country.

According to intelligence, the residents of Rivne region systematically exported raw amber from Ukraine to a Persian Gulf country. The offenders bought illegally mined stones in the northern districts of Rivne region.

The SBU, in particular, documented that a resident of Rivne tried to export 18 pieces of rare raw amber, some of which weigh over 700 grams, from Ukraine via Boryspil international checkpoint. Such stones are exclusive and the value of each is determined individually. The estimated “black market” price of the seized amber is valued at tens of thousands of dollars.

Currently, law enforcement officers seized amber and sent for further examination. The issue of initiating a criminal proceeding for violation of rules related to the protection of mineral resources will be resolved after the examination.

The operation was carried out by SBU Office in Rivne region jointly with the Kyiv customs of the State Migration Service of Ukraine.