The SBU blocked a channel of smuggling of a large consignment of cigarettes to the customs territory of our state at the Boryspil International Airport.

SBU officers established that organizers of the scheme systematically transported by air excisable goods from the Gulf country to Ukraine. Cargoes with tobacco were concealed from customs control and imported to Ukraine under the guise of consumer goods.

The SBU discovered 867 boxes of tobacco products weighing more than 10 tons and worth UAH 10 m (USD 360,000).

The SBU identifies all involved individuals in the criminal proceedings. Tobacco products were seized and transferred to the customs authorities.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.                            

The operation was conducted by the SBU Main Directorate for Counterintelligence Protection of the State's Interests in the Sphere of Economic Security, the SBU Main Directorate of Internal Security and the Investigative Division of the SBU Main Office in Kyiv and Kyiv Region in cooperation with the Boryspil Airport Customs under the supervision of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.