During 2020, the SBU stopped illegal activity of 15 drug laboratories, seized 1,704 kilo of drugs, more than 76 kilos of psychotropic substances and 955 kilos of precursors. Also, the law enforcement seized smuggled goods and exposed violations of customs rules resulting in UAH 511 m. (USD 18 m.) budget loss.

The SBU exposed 64 facts of drug trafficking, in particular, the transit through Ukraine of 750 kilos of captagon, also known as the “Jihadi pills”.

The SBU also blocked 7 shipments of large consignments of cocaine through the Odesa Sea Port. Mostly, the offenders hid drugs in fruit containers.

In course of counteracting other types of smuggling, the SBU initiated 78 criminal proceedings during the year. In particular, the SBU officers exposed a criminal group engaged in smuggling of military products to Russia (Kharkiv region), and a group that organized tax minimization scheme during customs clearance of imported cars (Zhytomyr region).

The SBU also prevented the smuggling of cultural property. Specifically, the law enforcement exposed an attempt to illegally export from Ukraine to the European Union a unique lifetime edition of Taras Shevchenko’s Kobzar, dated 1860, and 200 silver coins and ornaments of the Celtic and Roman cultures.

To remind, during 2020 the SBU neutralized 81 organized criminal groups, 30 of which were engaged in drug trade.