The SBU in Transcarpathian region prevented an attempt to smuggle cigarettes to a European country.

Allegedly, an official of the border control unit of the Chop border guard detachment planned to set up a scheme of receiving money from local residents involved in cigarette smuggling. For various amounts of money, the official promised to the dealers not to impede with transportation of "stuff" to foreign countries bypassing the established checkpoints.

The SBU officers found that the official planned to receive almost USD 20,000 for assistance in the illegal transportation of nearly 30,000 packs of cigarettes abroad.

The law enforcement officers detained one of the participants in the scheme near the state border during an attempt to smuggle a large batch of cigarettes.

During the searches of the suspects’ residences, the law enforcement seized equipment for packing cigarettes, a radio-controlled drone, a car converted for the illicit transportation of "stuff", night vision devices and other items that the dealers used in illegal activities.

The official of the border control division of the Chop border guard detachment was served a notice of suspicion of offer, promise or giving a bribe to an official (Part 3 of Art. 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The investigation is ongoing to identify and prosecute other persons involved in illegal activities.

The operation was conducted jointly with investigators of the Territorial Office of the State Bureau of Investigation located in Lviv city, internal security officers of the State Border Guard Service under the supervision of the Military Prosecutor's Office of Uzhhorod garrison.