Within the efforts to combat transnational crime, the SSU located and detained a foreign arms smuggler in Chernivtsi oblast.

The offender is a citizen of one of the Central Asian states. For almost 5 years, he was hiding from the investigation for organizing a transnational channel of illicit trade in small arms through the territory of Ukraine.

In 2018, the law enforcement exposed the clandestine dealer and notified him of suspicion of committing a crime. The court then chose custody as a measure of restraint, but later changed its decision to house arrest.

Taking advantage of this, the suspect fled from justice.

For a long time, he was hiding in Chernivtsi region. Under a false identity, he bought a house in one of the settlements of Bukovyna and tried to change his appearance.

However, the SSU tracked down and detained the criminal at the place of his temporary stay.

The decision on additional classification of the detainee’s actions, who had been previously declared suspect under Article 201 of the CCU (smuggling), is pending.

The crime is punishable by 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.