In the city of Odesa, the Security Service of Ukraine blocked the interregional amphetamine supply channel and smuggling of a large batch of hookah tobacco into Ukraine.

Regarding the drug trafficking case: 

SBU officers received operational information about a drug gang attempting to set up an amphetamine trafficking channel from Kyiv to Odesa for further sale. The “stuff’’ for customers was to be delivered by drug couriers from Kyiv region.

Law enforcement officers detained one of the drug dealers at the bus station of the regional center. The search of his luggage revealed almost 4 kilos of amphetamine. The suspect hid the banned substances in juice boxes.

The issues of serving the offender a suspicion notice of illegal production, manufacture, purchase, storage, transportation, shipment or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues and choosing a type of detention are being settled.

The investigation is ongoing to prosecute other members of the drug gang.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Regarding the smuggling of 7.5 tons of tobacco:

On the territory of “Chornomorsk” customs post of the Odesa customs, the SBU prevented smuggling to Ukraine of about 7,500 kilos of tobacco from one of the countries of the Middle East.

The excisable goods were hidden under the guise of textiles, which the dealers transported by ferry. Allegedly, the smugglers planned to sell the batch of tobacco through local retail chain and entertainment facilities.

The procedural actions to seize the relevant goods are underway.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Office in Odesa region together with the SBU Main Directorate for Fighting Corruption and Organized Crime with the assistance of Odesa Customs, the State Customs Service and the State Border Guard Service.