In the city of Odesa, the SBU prevented large-scale cocaine smuggling from a South American country. The estimated value of the seized drugs on the black market is almost USD 10 m.

SBU officers received operational information that drug dealers plan to import cocaine on a ship that arrived at the “Pivdennyi” Sea Port. The drug was hidden in the air hatches of a shipping container with bananas. During an in-depth customs inspection of the container, law enforcement officers found 46 bricks of cocaine. The total weight of the drug (gross) is almost 57 kg. 

Investigators of the security bodies initiated criminal proceedings upon smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or precursors.

Investigations are underway to prosecute all those involved in the organization and involvement in drug smuggling.

Detection and documentation of illegal activities were carried out by a special unit and investigators of the SBU Office in Odesa region together with employees of the Southern Regional Department of the State Border Guard Service, Odesa Customs of the State Customs Service, Department for Combating Drug-Related Crimes of the Main Department of the National Police in Odesa region under the procedural guidance of Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office.