The SBU prevented attempted smuggling of a large batches of cigarettes during customs control at Boryspil International Airport.

The operatives established that the organizers intended to smuggle cigarettes to Ukraine by flights from the Persian Gulf country. Allegedly, tobacco goods were hidden from customs control and imported under the guise of consumer goods.

The SBU officers seized a batch of cigarettes worth over UAH 1 m. (USD 35,715).

Law enforcement officers are currently checking the involvement of all suspects in smuggling scheme. The issue of imposing penalties for illegal movement of excisable goods across the Ukrainian customs border is being resolved.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Main Department for Counterintelligence Protection of the State's Economic Interests jointly with the border guards of the separate controlled border check-point “Kyiv” of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Boryspil Airport Customs Post of the Kyiv Customs Office of the State Customs Service of Ukraine.