The SBU exposed the unlawful activity of a criminal group that smuggled goods from temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

The perpetrators proposed the SBU officer to shield illegal supplies of goods via the Azov Sea. However, the SBU officer informed his management about such illegal activity and refused to take a bribe.

The SBU documented that the offenders planned to smuggle 400 boxes
of cigarettes made in the temporarily occupied territory. The black market price of goods is circa USD 3 m. (UAH 80 m.).

For USD 5,000, they asked the SBU officer to organize unimpeded smuggling of cigarettes to Ukraine-controlled territory of Donetsk region.

In order to document the crime, the SBU supervised giving of a bribe to the officer of the SBU Main Department of Internal Security. The issue of serving suspicion notices to the offenders is being resolved.

During the searches, the SBU seized tobacco products and vehicles. The investigation is ongoing to prosecute other people involved into illegal activity.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Main Department of Internal Security jointly with the Main National Police Directorate in Donetsk region, State Border Guard Service of Ukraine under the supervision of Mariupol Specialized Prosecutor`s Office in the Military and Defense spheres.