Since the beginning of the year, the SBU has seized 238 kilos of drugs, 223 kilos of precursors, and 56 kilos of psychotropics that the offenders tried to smuggle across the state border. The SBU also blocks the tobacco trafficking across the border, in particular, 8.5 million packs of cigarettes, 26,7 tons of counterfeit hookah tobacco, and 22 tons of raw materials for cigarettes manufacturing.

Blocking of two cocaine batches from South America in Pivdennyi seaport was the largest drug smuggling operations. In May, law enforcement officers seized 53,4 kg of cocaine. Moreover, in September, over 100 kg of cocaine were confiscated during the special operation.

At the same time, the SBU effectively cooperates with foreign law enforcement agencies. Specifically, SBU jointly with Eurojust, Europol, and colleagues from France, Poland and Slovakia, blocked the activities of powerful criminal group, specializing in manufacturing and smuggling of wholesale batches of steroids. More than 270 law enforcement officers took part in the international special operation that resulted in detention of 24 offenders in the EU countries. In addition, SBU officers seized assets amounting to circa EUR 2.1 million. 

In general, since the beginning of the year, the SBU has initiated 39 criminal proceedings for drug, psychotropics and precursors trafficking. 24 individuals were found guilty and sentenced for such crimes.

As for tobacco trafficking,

almost 6.5 million packs of counterfeit cigarettes worth over UAH 112 million (USD 4 million) were found in Dnipropetrovsk region. The offenders sold counterfeit goods in Ukraine, as well as exported it to the EU under the guise of well-known brands.

During investigations in Kherson, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk and Zakarpattia regions, SBU officers found over 1.5 million packs of counterfeit goods and almost 15 tons of tobacco. The offenders grew tobacco and illegally manufactured cigarettes for the further sale to the EU countries.

While in Volyn region, the SBU uncovered counterfeit goods in warehouses and in a lorry. Thus, the offenders planned to smuggle 500,000 packs of counterfeit cigarettes, worth UAH 15 million (USD 535,715), across the state border.