The SBU blocked large-scale illegal amber mining and smuggling to the EU. The offenders organized a multi-million export.

Within the criminal proceedings, SBU operatives established that the illegal business was set up by the owners of a commercial structure in the city of Rivne. They illegally mined amber and shipped it to Europe using the forged documents about its origin.

The SBU has documented an attempt to smuggle raw amber, including large pieces of stone (weigh is almost 120 kg). Black market price of the seized goods is USD 150,000.

Law enforcement officers conducted a number of searches of the offenders’ residences and offices. During the investigation, the following items were seized:

• another almost 100 kg of processed and untreated amber;
• documents confirming illegal acquisition, storage and movement of amber across the Ukrainian customs border;
• computer equipment, draft records proving illegal activity.

The organizer received suspicion notice of illegal extraction, sale, acquisition, transfer, transfer, transportation, processing of amber.

The pre-trial investigation is underway.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Main Directorate for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime jointly with the SBU Office in Rivne region under the supervision of Kovel District Prosecutor's Office of Volyn region.